Matt Aelseth once shared with me his ideas on choosing where to serve. I'm still searching these out biblically, but this is a starting point. I think I'm the type of person that when presented with an apparent need, I will do anything I can to meet that need. It's my Messiah complex. My dreams of being a superhero and being able to help everyone and do everything.

But, alas, I am more Matt Murdock, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and less guys with capes in tights. Ha. Wait, they're all men. Anyhow. Moving on.

Back to Matt Aelseth. So, Matt's whole framework is: serve in 3 ministries maximum - 2 major and 1 minor. Of the 2 majors, one should be something that God's given you a passion for. The other should be where there is a need. Disclaimer: These are his guidelines, they're not rules of any sort. I just remember him sharing with me that ministry (at least official, program type ministry) should not consume us. We live in an age that is frought with agendas and meetings. And even in Christian/church culture, it is easy to get swept up in those types of ministries. If there is an apparent need in an area where God has really given you the Spiritual gifts, relational networks, and talents to meet that need, it's so easy to jump in and to "do." But, where is the faith required in that?

And passion. Well..that's passion. Part of fanning into flame the gift of God that is in you (2 Tim 1).

Needs are around us everywhere. The homeless man on the street, the old lady crossing the street, the guy on crutches trying to open a door to Dwinelle, the roommate who just wants to talk, the faucet that keeps dripping. And with the power of Christ, we have enough strength to do it. But, the fundamental question is: are we supposed to do it all? When I was in school, I used to respond with "But how could you not? If it's in your means to help, how could you not?"

A few points to this:
1. We tend to try to control the situation by always jumping in to help. God will raise up workers in time. (Yes, sometimes, you are that person.) He brings us to points that require faith. As we see a need, but come to see that it is not for us to meet, then our responsibility is to pray over that need. That's where the faith comes in.

2. Related to this, I know that my impetus to try to meet all these needs stems from pride. I touched on this earlier with my whole superhero complex thing. It comes from a sense of self-sufficiency. I have the means, so I will do it. And that is sin.

Gosh, this is all over the place. So, I'll stop here. I'm still sorting through some examples from Scripture. I'll edit this later. Umm..yeah. sorry. Cool...my page is starting to talk with other pages...If i've said anything blasphemous or questionable, please tell me.