....warning.... Jesus freakery ahead

When I wrote this - and I mean wrote, on actual paper, with an actual pen - I was hiding at a shady table, in a courtyard, at St. John's University in Queens, NY.  Now I will continue in the tense in which this was originally written, because I'm just too lazy to fix that for you.  Also, please don't think I'm just preaching at you - because I'm really just preaching at myself.


It has been a LONG weekend.  I don't think I can really put in to words what these conferences are like (Oh, by the way, I was at a Steubenville Conference with a bunch of high school youth) to people who
A) Aren't crazy for Jesus
B) Aren't Catholic
3) Have never been to any type of charismatic Christian retreat
D) Have a brain that's not this one in my head

(For instance, if you don't understand AB3D, you're never going to understand the experience I just had!)

So, instead of trying to put an encounter with the living Christ into words that other people can understand...I'm going to write a little ditty about Jack & Diane calling.

Before you read any further, I want you to stop.  Scroll to the comments and tell me what you think  you're being called to do in your life.  What's your vocation?

Umm...hello.  I said stop reading and go comment.





Okay, now that you've done that...(you did, right?) ... you get to decide if you were right or wrong.  I'm going to tell you a story...about how God's calling isn't what you think (probably).

Let's start with this:  I'm a youth leader at my church.  I know!  I don't really know how it even happened.  About seven (or more) years ago, I thought it would be really cool to do this.  I was stupid.  I also still thought kids were in my future... you know... motherhood.  HaH!  Since then, I grew up.  I've realized, this isn't what I want.  If you ask the teens - they'll tell you I'm a total dweebette, who is good for corralling things, carrying stuffs, showing up to rescue you with whatever you might need, and it is funny when I have wheezing laugh attacks.  (I mean, why wouldn't the threat of literal death by laughter be enjoyable to kids?)

This is definitely not what I want.  I want to sit at home and watch Netflix, eat nothing but ice cream, and look like a supermodel.  Instead, I'm out of my comfort zone, learning how to be a youth leader, acting like I've got it figured out, and that I didn't spend two hour crying and begging God for help to get through this weekend without having my soul crushed by a bunch of kids.  This is His plan for me... Not my plan for me.  He knows what He's doing, and I'm not going to act like I have any idea where it is taking me - except closer to Him.

Let me tell you something... God is calling you to Himself.  He's on the phone... dialing your number.. like "Hey girl...do you want to hang out?"  ....yes?  "How about  mercy, grace, everlasting life? ... are you into that?"  ......umm... yeah.  That sounds cool.  "Awesome.  I'm glad you said yes.  Now do this thing that will only bring you joy after you feel like a complete and total failure."  Umm........ ..........

THIS.... This is where He's calling you.  This is where He wants to meet you.  He wants your yes.  You're  saying "God, I'm a terrible person... are you serious? You think I should do something I'm ridiculously unqualified for and will suck at?  REALLY?!  And He's all - Hey!  I MADE you!  In MY image and likeness - I'm asking you to say yes for a reason - so just say yes already!

I know, it is confusing.  And difficult to say yes.  You know why He calls you to do things you don't want to do?  Because He's calling you to something bigger than the current pain in your butt - and the current pain in the butt is preparation, and provides you with some much needed humility - and most importantly, you need to learn to rely on Him!

Hello.  You're His.  He made you.  So, if he wants to turn your life into a sitcom for a while, He gets to.  You owe Him that and so much more.  He made you, He died for you.  He would die for you a million more times any day of the week.... No one else can ever compare to that.  Why wouldn't you say yes?  Think about all of the sill, insignificant yes answers you give on a daily basis.  Compare that to what He's offering....

Soooo... YES... and when I hate it the most, I know You're doing the most work, and loving me the most....  ( But really, while we're on the subject, if you want to make me do something else, I wouldn't mind.....)

Chew on this:  the talents you're blessed with may seem contradictory to what path He has placed you on.  He is teaching you, molding you, using you.....  Get over yourself and your selfish desires.  Give yourself to God and humbly serve Him - and I promise, you won't be disappointed...  even if kids make a video while you're trying to die.

Now I want to know if your prediction was correct- or nah.