Yesterday’s blog was simply the dictionary definition of “aptitude.” I have been researching for this coming Sunday’s sermon, and it has led me to do some personal soul searching. I have been questioning, “What are my aptitudes?” (inclinations, natural abilities, talents, capacities for learning, etc.) I have begun with some informal self analysis. Later in the week I will repeat some more formal evaluations of spiritual gifts, personality type, and other evaluative tools that take the evaluation away from me and into a more objective state.
From the informal side I have affirmed an aptitude for loving my family. I would do almost anything to bless and bring joy to my wife and our daughters. i have an aptitude for loving God and believing His Word. Right now this personal aptitude is leading me to take some stances that will be questioned by some and unpopular with others. I watched the new movie “EXPELLED” last night. It is a 95 minute documentary by Ben Stein that is sometimes slow to watch but has a compelling message that prejudice can go different ways. He defends the right of “Intelligent Design” scientists to be heard and have their theories discussed in the scientific community. I agree with Stein’s thesis and say that not only should Intelligent Design be given a voice but also Creationist views. I believe in freedom for all views to be heard.
I defend the right of celebrities to take alternative religious views and to express them. At the same time I feel the freedom to express my disagreements and share where I feel they are theologically incorrect.
My aptitude for believing God means that I will find myself speaking against those things that stand in the way of true faith, regardless of who holds the view or their popularity.
What are your aptitudes? I have listed but two of mine out of a long list. I pray that in your list is an aptitude for God and knowing His Word.
Filed under: Discipleship, Spiritual Warfare
Not sure I have the ability to break all these down into the appropriate category, but I know God has laid on my heart a constant desire to pay off the vision of the MMC so that our kids don’t have to have the burden of our vision.
It may not affect ministry goals as much for our generation, but it will free them to follow their dreams as a church body for God. I want them to be able to stand on our shoulders!
I think this is a good question for me to ponder on right now, at this time in my life. I am in a transition where I believe God is at work in me from the inside out, and I think that there is more in store for me than what I’m presently doing with my life….so aptitudes…I know that I have the aptitude for Motherhood and all that it entails, I have an aptitude and receive joy from bringing people together who have similar interests, I have an aptitude for learning new things especially art/crafts/music/gardening right now, and I think I have an aptitude for natural health/healing… and to top off my list, I have an aptitude and new longing and desire for knowing God and yes, knowing His word…it is a fire burning in my heart
I was just thinking over my response to this post and I realized that it is only through Christ and what He has done for me that I have any aptitude at all… especially in my role of Mother. I have to pray every week for my kids and for myself that I’m a good steward of these little beautiful lives. What I’m trying to say is that what aptitude I have, is only Christ in Me…for without Him I am nothing.
Good thoughts, Rosi. I was thinking along those same lines this morning, that most of the joys I have are because of other people I can bring joy to doing them. Without then, I couldn’t care one way or another about the tasks. I guess that is where “enthusiasm” and “passion” and even “position” play into our God-chosen roles.