You are either very brave or just plain crazy. What possessed you to come to Hollywood anyway? What was your journey like that brought you here? And how did you distinguish God’s calling for you? So you are here and now what? How? Why? Why now? Why the people that you are now meeting? Is there something significant about all these questions?
You may now be on the most confusing part of your faith journey. Or maybe I’m just speaking for myself… Being God’s presence in the city is not easy, but it sure is exciting and extremely rewarding! As I continue to discover what God is leading us to do here in Hollywood (and how to do it - although the why never seems clear either) I urge you to REALLY continue seeking God’s calling for you, your individual life. Why?
I believe you are an answer to prayer. You are here for a reason. Both for your personal development and also to fulfill a role in God’s greater work of loving the people of the city we live in.
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships. Think about your relationships at work, in your neighborhood, your community, the church, the church’s community. Why are you in those relationships? Are there relationships you are avoiding that you probably should be paying more attention to? Aren’t we called to be God’s representatives? Absolutely!
How are we to be like God in the city? Well, I don’t know. But I will enjoy having these conversations with you. In the mean time, here are things that you can do and how you can contribute with your presence and your talents:
And of course, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it any ways… talk to God about what He is asking you to do, step out of your comfort zone, and do it!
You are my network - and we are one. Really. As you discover and do what you’re supposed to be doing here in Hollywood your faith shapes our church life. The stronger you are, the stronger I can become. I count on you to do what God has called you to do in the city. You can count on me too. Of course, we may not always do the same things at the same time, but we are one, just as Christ wants us to be.
Keep us posted on what you are learning. It will help the rest of us very brave or just plain crazy people. Oh, I mean me… The more you share your experience with me, the more I will discover why I’m here in Hollywood. Now what?
May, 8 2008 at 11:37
Great post, Mireya. There is so much depth and richness for those who want to really engage with their faith at a “street level.” I particularly appreciate your comment in paragraph 2 that the “why?” is almost always unclear. I think a key part of growing in our relationship with God and each other is stepping into the things God may be leading us into without absolutely clarity about all the whys and wherefores. That’s faith, right? Certainty is the opposite of faith.
And about the “keep us posted” part, I think that’s a huge part of the purpose of this blog. It is truly a “community blog” for the participants in the Hollywood Adventist Church. So come on people, get writing!