If I Were Debt Free…#85
Exploring my passions!
Pastor Nate. Weird, huh? I’ve always had a desire to go into ministry. I remember standing behind the pulpit as wee lad at church. Now adays, I preach sermons in my head all day long. I think and blog about walking out the Christian faith. Seth Godin pointed out that you’ll blog about those things you are passionate about. I’ve never written a post about my current job. I do not feel passionate about Cisco or routers. I probably came to that conclusion a while ago, but I actually said it out loud to myself about a month ago. I’m definitely thankful for my job, and I “do all my work as unto the Lord.” But I feel no passion for it.
So, while I’m still not sure “pastor” is the route for me (as soon as I think of it as public speaking, I get sick to my stomach) I am excited about exploring my passions without the burden of debt. For now I will live a life of ministry where I’m at. If anybody would consider a pastor who will be grasping a mic stand like a rock star (the “Dear God, I’m going to fall if I let go” pose) behind a 6ftx6ft solid mahogany pulpit, let me know, and I might go through seminary for that. None of those fancy head mics and clear podiums, please.
Pre-Posting Update
Another condition I would consider pastoring in:
Matt and I were talking about doing a pastor tag-team. And to keep with the wrestling theme, we’d use wrestling suits and a wrestling ring. And it might look a little something like this…
Have you ever had that nagging feeling that there was something more to do with your life? I don’t remember exactly when it started for me...
Hmmmmm. Pastor Nate hey? It’s got a nice ring to it!
unfortunately you are the skinny one! But I see some C.H. Spurgeon in Jack Black, don’t you? :)
PUBIC speaking….that would upset my stomach too.
Sorry, I had to point out the mis-spelled word because it totally made me laugh.
I could see Pastor Nate.
Pastor Nate, I can totally see it :D now pastors wife Christina…. not so sure about that one lol :P
@Francois you think so?
@MxBx yes, i am the skinny one. the one that would have died of tuberculosis in ages past. but yes, i can see some resemblance with Spurgeon and Black. and add some tattoos, and it’s so you…with a wig on.
@Mandy LOL!!! oh man, yea it’s just revolting isn’t it? thanks for pointing that out. gotta love those mis-spells that totally change the meaning. let’s not ask Freud what I really meant. it’s all fixed now.
@MommyScott don’t worry, I won’t make you sit on stage :P
@natedavidscott – that’s good to know ;)
I could see that. But skip the seminary route and learn by screwing up royally in front of people. Worked for me :)
There’s nothing in life quite like finally pursuing a passion you have, but enjoy where you’re at as well now. I was always looking to the future (very Luke Skywalker-esque) and I don’t think I enjoyed my early years of marriage like I could have because I was so focused on what I wanted to do in my job and not what I was doing.
@ Chad Wright thanks for the great advice. failure is the best teacher.
and I will definitely not look to far forward in the sense I neglect what is happening now. success happens in steps. i’ve already seen that with continuing our financial progress. there’s still a lot to do once we’re out of debt, but when i break it down into prioritized steps, it’s easier to get my mind around.
Well, you couldn’t go wrong with that title! I remember sitting next to you on the living room sofa many years ago and telling you that I had this feeling that God had big plans for you. I don’t know if that’s the plan but it’s good that you’re thinking so carefully on your future. And concerning the speaking, I wish you could have been in church yesterday to hear dad. I have to say he’s really getting good! If it’s in God’s plans he will work that out. Remember that Moses didn’t think he could speak in front of others
(see http://www.behindthebadge.net/articles/a35.html) but there’s also similar ways to serve where you might not have to stand in front of a large group and speak, for instance writing!
There’s no doubt that sitting in the church and hearing R.C. Sproul’s sermons is an awesome thing, but I’m so thankful that he puts all of those sermons and topics in his books so that we can all be blessed by them.
@kbs thanks for the encouragement, momma!
They’ve got pro-wrestling governors… why not pastors?
Just kidding, of course.
Nacho Libre is hilarious.