Expert: Susan Milillo - 8/25/2008

Question
hey i got a question my goal is to be a missionary, and right now im kinda in a slump, its hard to describe but i just feel i need to be doing more and when i dont i just feel sick with myself, so yea i know im forgiven and all and thats important to me and i hold my eternal life to it so i was wondering how i can do more of my life to god casue i still listen to some of the wrong music and i play games more than i read or pray, i am hoping to fix this but i need some help,

all the thanks in the world
mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

     That's cool that you want to be a missionary.  Yeah, we all sin even once we know Jesus personally. Remember, His grace is for our walk too, not just our eternal destination.  I mean, you can't 'earn' your sanctification, growth in Christ, any more than you could earn your eternal salvation.  Does this make sense ?  This is something that has taken me a long time to learn, and I know I still am learning it!  So, try not to 'perform' for God.

     Next, make sure you are living for God now.  As far as sharing Christ with the people you know now (best way to prepare for missions!), and also by being as strong in your personal relationship with God as you can. In other words, surrender everything to Him, cooperate with Him.  It sounds like you are convicted in your spirit about some of the music you listen to, and an amount of not being committed to devotional things.  Start with those; actually, why not pick one thing, and really focus on surrendering that one thing to God.   You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!(Phil. 4:19)  Then as you grow, through the process of obedience, you will be even stronger for the next thing.  

      When you pray, try to picture yourself on your face before God, with your hands up and open, with nothing in them.  Picture yourself just letting it all go to Him -- the 'pet sins', all the hang-ups, - RELEASE them to Him.  I don't know about you, but visualization helps me make it real.

       Last but certainly not least, get involved with a group of Christian guys / men who are serious about growing in their faith.  An accountability group is ideal -- or an accountability partnership/relationship, with another guy, where you meet regularly, and ask each other specific, pointed questions about your particular areas of temptation.   When you know someone is praying specifically for you in that area, and is going to ask you in a few days without fail, how you did in that, it will help you to take it more seriously, as you want to.

        I will pray for you as I close -- Keep 'fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith!' (Heb. 12:2)

Sincerely in Jesus,
SM