I’m reading the book The Wisdom of Tenderness by Brennan Manning. I’m always thankful when I read or hear Brennan Manning. I’m thankful that God gave him a way of thinking and understanding that speaks so clearly to me.
What struck me today was a story he was telling about an evangelist named Robert Frost. I have no idea if it’s the poet Robert Frost, or someone else entirely. But, the story was about how he didn’t go to seminary for a long time because he was afraid God would send him to Africa. Only years later after attending seminary and building a ministry did he discover a love for Africa that caused him to ask God to allow him to go. This illustrated the point Manning wanted to make, which was, “Grace always precedes call.” God will not call us to serve without first placing a love in our heart for those we are serving.
So, this brings me to my point. I came to Vienna because I have a love for missionaries and a love for international kids. I have the opportunity here for an amazing ministry to both of these communities. Yet, lately, I don’t want to go to work. It takes all my energy to get out of bed in the morning and go serve the people whom it is my passion to serve. There are quite a few contributing factors in this, but I think what I’ve realized is that God placed a passion in my heart, then sent me to serve, and Satan hates that. He is doing everything in his power to thwart God’s plan, and I seem to be letting him. The question now is how do I get back to the passion, back to where I wake up ready to do what God has placed it in my heart to do?