I have never been overly impressed with priests.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not have a problem with priests, or the priesthood. I just think that we sometimes place too much emphasis on it, and them.
A calling to be set apart for the Lord is special, and should be honoured, but I have always thought that there are so many ways to serve Him without entering ordained ministry.
Can you name five kings in the Bible? What about five prophets? Great leaders sent by God?
How about priests? Can you name even three of those?
Funny that.
Whenever I get asked whether I am planning to enter the ministry, I usually have a sarcastic comment about it. When I started studying theology five years ago, I kept it a secret from people, because I was afraid they would read too much into it.
I think GOD has called me to serve him in my own way, and when I look at all the opportunities he gives to me as a lay person to be involved in ministry, I can’t think of a single reason why I would want to be a priest.
So why has He been putting them on my mind more and more lately?
And why do I stop and stare every time I see one?
And why am I watching their every move at the Lord’s table?
I can’t think of a single reason.
I wonder if HE can.
Posts
Yikes......I've come back here two times and I still don't have the right words to say....
ReplyDelete......*insert cricket noises*........
(that cartoon is hilarious though)
The Holy Spirit lives in you. Just listen. And I'm most certain you can find one of those collars in a waterproof version if this is indeed what God is calling you to do.
ReplyDeleteOf course He can. Be patient, little fish.
Very interesting questions. None of which I have an answer for. I, too, am drawn to staring at priests...and I most definitely do not want to be a priest. I chalk it up to the fact that I was raised Catholic -- Catholicism is in my blod. And there is something so intriguing and compelling about Catholicism -- it's like I can't quite turn away.
ReplyDeleteLevi,Eleazer, Zachariah.
ReplyDeletePray for them, Sharkie. Perhaps you are noticing them because the Holy Spirit is calling you to pray for them. If He is calling you to the priesthood, you'll figure it out eventually.
:) I nearly cracked a rib laughing at the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more along these lines.
In Christ,
Mark
Maybe I should enter a monastery instead, then you really would have to call me Brother Sharkbait. :-)
ReplyDeleteHelen - I am suitably impressed.
Understand, this is not a recent thought, or passing fancy. It is something that has popped up and down for over 7 years now. I just find myself doing more... priest gazing of late.
At the moment I get all the benefits of being a priest (preaching, teaching, assisting with communion, wearing a silly white dress) without any of the drawbacks (congregation, church politics, spiritual burnout, wearing a silly black dress).
In my church, we don't have priests. We have pastors that also have day jobs. They farm. They preach on Sunday. They're normal people. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Helen...pray and the answer will eventually come
ReplyDeleteHe does like to mess with our heads, doesn't He?
ReplyDeleteI swore I'd never have kids for years. By the time I got married, I was saying "three" and my husband was saying "two." In God's mathematics, that equalled "five."
Interesting thoughts. Thinking of you as you figure things out. I know a few friendly monks if you want to explore the monastery idea. That way you could stick with the silly white dress, just add a hood:)
ReplyDeleteEli, Ahimelech and Abiathar. Then there was Melchizedek, who was a priest AND a king.
ReplyDeleteI love the cartoon. And have to wonder about my own sense of calling when I realise that my closest friends these days are priests or monks. Gulp.