I was talking with someone yesterday about my call story and how I became a pastor. I ran in the beginning as most of my clergy friends did. We think God really isn’t calling us to be a pastor, we know who we were and where we had been and what we had done, so how could God call me.
I ran at first, but God kept after me…
And I said, “And finally I gave up.”
And the person I was talking to asked, “Gave up or gave in?”
I responded, “Gave in because I have not given up…” I have been looking for a congregation for sometime now to lead and guide. God has been with me through this process and I am not without call, but looking for the full time position with a congregation as their spiritual guide/leader.
But I have been thinking about this conversation, and I wonder if gave up is not the right answer.
When I decided to follow where I felt God was leading me, I did give up. I gave up control over my life and said I will follow where you are leading me. I gave up a nice job making good money doing computer support to move my family 8 hours north and go into debt by borrowing money to go to school for 4 more years. I was also entering a profession not known for the money those in it make. I was not doing it for the money though, because I had given up. I gave up control or what control I thought I had on my life.
So I wonder what your thoughts are?
Is there a difference between giving up and giving in?
Is giving in merely trying to maintain and allowing something to happen?
Is giving up a bad thing? (please see my post on the dip)
aSacredRebel 