I spent most of last week in New Orleans at the Baptist Communicators Association annual workshop.
It was my first experience at the gathering, but it was a fruitful time of learning and fellowship. (Although, my introverted self will need several days to recover from the social requirements.)
It’s refreshing to spend time with people who work in the same industry and are facing the same challenges.
It’s also encouraging and inspiring to talk with people about the new things they are trying, the oldie-but-goodie things that are still working and brainstorming fresh ways to engage our audience and reach the world with the gospel.
One thing that stands out vividly for me from the week actually came during the last gathering. Thursday morning, during the business session, Jim Veneman, past BCA president, told a story about a dinner he once had with Art Toalston, a newly recognized lifetime BCA member.
Feeding the soul
After dinner, Art asked Jim to tell him about one project he’d been part of during the last year that he thought was excellent; one that made him excited and reminded him of the reasons he wanted to get into religious communications.
Jim would go on to say that he never actually answered Art’s question, but they talked about it and the motives behind it with Art before returning home to his wife and talking about it with her for several more hours.
That story nudged me at my core and I began to reflect. When was the last time I was part of something that made my soul sing? Not just something that made me happy, but something that spiritually fed my soul and reminded me of my specific Christian calling.
As I continue to reflect on Art’s question, I encourage you to do the same. And if you can’t think of a time in the recent past when you were part of a soul-filling project or ministry, I encourage you to pray and ask God to reveal where you might find it.
Common goal
Could it be serving in the children’s ministry at your church? Or working behind-the-scenes with the tech team? Or could it be getting involved with a local homeless ministry where you can serve and share God’s love? Or pitching that exciting professional project idea you think could be a tremendous help to your employer and the people they serve?
Whatever it is, find it.
God made us all unique in our gifts, talents and joys. But we all serve a common goal — to know God and make Him known.
How can you fit into that calling in a way that both glorifies God and fills your soul?
