Capable of many... Created for one

This last year has been a year of searching for me... which sounds so 80's movie cheesy since I am in my mid-30s. But, the truth is I was a 32-year-old pastor who still had some things to figure out about life and myself. After this little journey I am hoping I can say the same when I am 42, 52, and so on. I hope that the discovery never ends and that I never find the "end" of my purpose here on earth.

But, the road of discovery is not always an easy one, and it seems to be filled with many detours and off-ramps. As I have been learning about who God made me to be and what He wants to do through me I sometimes get nervous. Some of His asks are big. Some of His asks are difficult. Some of them are flat out frightening. And, it almost never fails that at the same time I see God making a big, scary ask that I see a side road appear. It is a road that seems to be heading in the same direction... or at least close. It is just not so steep, not so busy, not quite so extreme. I am often tempted to wander down those roads.

I have come to the realization that in God's creation He has made me capable of many things. There are many jobs I could do and succeed at; many projects I could lead that would be fruitful; and many ministries that I could support that would do great things. But, the more I look at who God made me and what He plans for me I become more and more convinced that though I am capable of many things, I have been created for one thing.

A fish scaler can do a passable job at cleaning plaque off of your teeth. But, over time it will do a horrible number on your gums. Just because I can operate in a certain realm does not mean that I should. And, even if the path God is leading me down seems more difficult at the beginning, I can rest in His goodness and know that it will be more fulfilling in the end. I want to live the life I was Created for, not just the life I am Capable of.