Today I want to truly write a post from the heart. I have a ton of friends that I interact with on my blog and the social media sites that I frequent and I love the interaction that I have with every one of you. There is a lot of diversity and back grounds out there and I enjoy reading about you all and seeing where you really come from.
So why am I here? Good question. Actually it’s a question I have been asking myself for a while. Hey, I teach to be authentic with your posts and to be real, so I’m just being real. Many of you know that I’m a Christian and first and foremost I am here to serve God and honor Him.
1 Peter 5:2-3
2Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. 3Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them.
I honor God by helping people. It may be Biblically related it may not. I may help someone understand the real power of the cross or I may help someone understand the power of social media marketing. But in either case I’m doing it with a servant heart. I’m doing it because I like and want to help people. I want to make a difference in this world.
I’m here to be the best husband to my wife and father to my girls that I can possibly be. God has blessed me with a great family and being self employed I now have the luxury to even be more attentive to them than I did when I was working in Corporate America (except when we are doing a product launch!).
I’m here to be an educator of social media marketing and how to make money online. I love to do it and I enjoy doing it. I love making the connections, interacting with people online, and sharing the principles that have made me successful.
So here’s what I’m dealing with right now. What is my current call in ministry? Ministry is a huge part of my life. The Bible tells us to go out and share what God has done in our lives.
Matthew 28:19-20 19Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Believe me, I have done a lot when it comes to ministry. I have started up ministries from scratch, I helped plant a church, I have lead Sunday school, I have preached to my congregation, I have preached to youth, I have organized youth camps, I have volunteered my time for various ministries, etc.
I have seen some amazing miracles come from people fully turning their lives over to God and understanding that they can’t do it on their own. There have been miracles in my life that have happened because I know God’s hand was on me and guiding me. There have been struggles I have been gone through that I the outcome was hopeless and I tried everything I could to fix the problem or issue on my own and failed miserably, but when I went to God’s Word and finally asked for His help the problems were fixed and the outcomes were positive.
Romans 8:28
28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
My dilemma is what is my real calling? Why am I really here? I know I have one! I thought my calling was this one certain ministry but it has been one frustration after another and there are some battle scars that I have with that ministry.
There is another ministry that I am also involved with that I enjoy doing and I know I’m making a difference in those people’s lives.
So I need to spend some time deep in prayer seeking God to see what he wants me to do…bow out of the first one and just focus on the second or fight through both of them.
So why am I telling you all of this? Actually, I don’t know! This has been on my heart for a while and I just needed to express this. Maybe this post will somehow put some things into perspective for you, or maybe this post will just help me think things through better, but either or I know God is in control and whatever the outcome is I’m going to serve Him to the best of my ability.
My life does have a purpose and I am so happy I serve a living God that cares for me, has lifted me up when I needed him, has shared my joys, and knows everything about me.
Matthew 10:29-31
29-31″What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
People ask me sometimes, “Mike, how do you know God is real?” You know because of the experiences you have with Him. You know because you see positive outcomes in situations that were so hopeless and so negative you can only know that it’s God that carried you through those situations. You know because there is a joy in your life that you just can’t explain. You know because you can feel His presence in your life. You know…because you just know. It’s hard to explain if you’re not a Christian. It’s like an extra sense or an extra feeling that you have. I guess that’s the most easiest way to explain it.
So how to end this post? Well, I’ve been thinking about that for the past 20 minutes! I guess what I’m going to do is like I said spend some time in prayer about my ministry calling and seek direction from God. If anyone has any good books they can suggest I would appreciate that too!
If you’re still reading this I hope my post has somehow helped you out as well. I am human, I am normal, and I do have struggles just like everyone else does. I just take my struggles to God trust in Him that He will work things out.
I do want to leave you with a video from one of my favorite bands, The David Crowder Band. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I enjoy it.
UPDATE
After spending some time with God in prayer I have decided to stay in both ministries and go in a different direction with one of the ministries that I have been focusing on. I’m looking forward to the doors that are going to be open with this ministry and to see lives changed because of it!
I’m reading a great book now called In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. It’s about how to thrive and survive when opportunity roars. Many people like to run when they see “lions”…I like to chase ‘em and defeat ‘em!
Google Buzz
13 Comments and Pings on Why Am I Here?
I so get where you are coming from Mike. Nights when I can’t sleep I know it’s because there is something that needs to be worked out. Writing your heart is a great way to start the process. There are many great books out there that can help you sort things out as you know, but the greatest thing you can do, is keep writing like this. Sharing your heart even if you don’t share it with all of us.
I have book upon book that is hand written by my nightstand. It is my heart. In return for pouring my heart out to God, I hear words of encouragement and discover new pathways. I write down what I hear in my heart and it always amazes me when I go back and read them. It’s a daily process for me and one that keeps me sleeping like a baby at night.
As for a good book; my friend Derek Sivers (of TED and CDBaby.com) suggested a fabulous book to me called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron (I think thats her name). See if you can get it from your local library. It will help you unlock so much just as it has both of us.
Bless you my friend. And thank you for sharing so much of who you are with the world. It’s all about love.
Kellie
Kellie Frazier´s last blog ..Connecting And Touching Hearts – Do You Do More Than Just Pass Through Life?
Thanks Kellie! I just got the book In The Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. I only am on Chapter 2 but it’s a great book and I can’t wait to get deeper into it.
Mike,
You have done a phenomenal job laying out your heart here for us. And I, for one, can say that I am glad to know you and call you my friend. Thank you for being so honest, open and transparent, and thank you for being bold with your faith.
God has given you an amazing platform from which to minister. Your blog is international my friend, so your ability to impact others for the kingdom of God is literally at your fingertips.
One thing I have learned is that God always leads us by what is in our heart, and he always places in our heart what he wants us to do. There’s a scripture that says “God causes us to want to do what pleases him…” I believe as we get in touch with what our heart is speaking to us, that we are getting in touch with what God is speaking to us as well. You are in touch with your heart, as evidenced by this post…now just listen to it and follow what it is telling you to do.
A couple of good books: “the furious longing of God” by Brennan Manning and “Abba’s Child” also by Brennan Manning. Highly recommend both – and I just checked for you…Amazon has them both!
Love you my brother in the Faith,
Krista
Krista Abbott´s last blog ..Gulf Oil Spill Deepwater Horizon: A Child’s View
Thanks Krista. Yeah, I like to be real and this is just another way of me doing that I guess. My direction is starting to become more clear. Thanks for your friendship!
Mike,
I hope by sharing your dilemna you are discovering the answer. May I suggest one exercise that my sister always reminds me of whenever I am struggling with coming to a decision? What she says is to let go & let God. Before retiring for the evening, state your question, ask for guidance, and give it over to God. Usually by the next day the answer becomes clear.
Remember, whatever your decision, make sure it’s the right one for you. If you are not happy and complete in your work, you are not helping anyone. Go with what your heart tells you. THAT is the path to follow.
You know your answer. Trust in that power,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..When the Why is Big Enough…
Thanks Val! Good advice! I appreciate your words!
Hi Mike,
The biggest problem with the Internet is that when you feel something that cannot be expressed in words, but only by huge hug, it is difficult to make that happen. Right now, I just want to hug you!
Here’s what I’ve got. . . as I was reading your post, my teenage daughter walked through the kitchen wearing a t-shirt that says: “My lifeguard walks on water.” Your lifeguard is on duty. Although it might be nice to read something, you don’t really need to. In your circumstance, I just pray over and over, “Thy will be done.” Then, as Val suggested, let it go. Get quiet and let Him provide the answer.
XOXO Nancy
Nancy Burke Barr´s last blog ..Mentor Mama’s Marvelous Mixer
Nancy, I guess you owe me a hug! HA! Thanks for commenting! I appreciate your friendship!
Mike,
Loved and appreciated your post. I understand what you’re feeling, and much like you, I’m in the same boat. First and foremost, I serve Jesus too. And, I wake up each day hoping that He will use me to be His hands and feet with every email, every phone call, every encounter with others. I want to serve Him more and pray that as my online presence grows, everything that I do and say will be light. But unfortunately, we’re all human.. thank God, Jesus died for our sins to redeem us and His mercy and forgiveness is swift.
I believe (and my posts and content will be changing up a bit to reveal more about the life we can have… Christ did not call us to poor, broke and broke minded.. that’s the great lie of Satan.. but rather to prosper. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know what I have planned for you” says the Lord, “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”
Whatever Christ has called for you to do, we know He sometimes likes to wait to reveal it after we’ve been quite, waiting on Him and having faith that our path will be one that’s in our very best interest according to what He’s planned. Its’ exciting as Christians to anticipate all the beautiful things God has for us… and not be axious.
Thanks for sharing.
Debbie
Debbie Turner´s last blog ..Renegade Professional vs MyLeadSystemPro- The Differences
Debbie,
All I can say is AMEN!!!
Thanks Mike for letting me know about your post!
This topic is hot in my heart right now as well. We’ve
built this strong social media following and are
getting a lot of traffic to our content. All along it
has been also so important to be true to our faith
and God’s will for what HE wants to do with this
exposure.
Looking forward to watching this GRAND journey
continue to unfold in front of us,
Kary
Kary Rogney´s last blog ..“Face To Face” With Faith Barnard…
Yeah man! I’m just trying to keep it real and follow in His steps!
Mike,
First of all, I want to say that as follower of Jesus myself I want to thank you for being a transparent and open testimony relative to your walk with the Lord.
Coming from a ministry background I, too, share many of the values relative to helping people, trying to serve them in the best way possible, and striving to be a positive influence in the world as best as possible with the help of God.
I appreciated seeing the update at the end. I think that the whole concept of simply and sincerely “following” leads us through many uncharted waters… but is part of what may be termed a calling along the way.
A book you might appreciate in the process is Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning. Depending on your background, that could be a bit of a stretch for some, but throughout the decision making process relative to following the calling of God for ministry — or simply for life — trust is major as you know.
Another one that I’m sure you know about is Intimacy With The Almighty by Charles Swindoll. Why mention that? Simple: the constant push towards the center and that is one of the best summaries I’ve seen anywhere in my opinion.
And, I can’t imagine that Phillip Yancey’s Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? would not be helpful. Again, not that “solutions” are everywhere… but skillful, heart-felt dealing with a variety of issues is a the heart of what he says (at least in my opinion).
Gordon MacDonald’s “A Resilient Life” is fantastic. I think you would related to that one. Again, maybe not so much as “an answer,” but as something that would be inspirational and deeply reflective along the way.
Well, that’s that. May you and those you love sense the Lord’s presence and blessing in all of your next steps.
Lee
P.S. You may enjoy these that I penned a bit ago…
**PrayingSimple** May I not miss the reality of you this day, Lord, as I deal with the reality of life. © Lee Wise
**PrayingSimple** I thank You for hearing when it is hard to share and answering when it amazes me that You do. © Lee Wise
Lee Wise´s last blog ..Attraction Marketing Excellence – On Being A Sensitive Dad
This entry was posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 9:36 AM and is filed under Leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.