Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies... and the other day as I was listening to the soundtrack as I do every October, I was struck by one scene where Jack has just finished a much anticipated Halloween celebration. He sneaks away from the party and goes out to ponder his true calling... He laments that each year is the same routine, that he can't imagine anything new. This leads him to go wandering through the woods where he finds a clearing filled with trees... but these are no ordinary trees, they are portals to the holiday worlds... he becomes entranced by the Christmas door and falls through to Christmas town. Jack finds a new spin on life and becomes excited about taking over Christmas.
He barges through the door of his new "mission" in life and it fails utterly. When he comes to the realization that he is the Pumpkin King, his passion returns for his true calling...
Each of us is gifted... with talents fitted with our personalities, passions and true callings. God fits us with our uniqueness... but sometimes, we can misread or misunderstand that calling and push through a door that was not meant to be opened by us.
I know that I am not meant for missions work... but I know many people who are. I am not a leader, but I love teaching... I can't force my spiritual gift of teaching into the door of leadership or hospitality without forcing open a door that God has not meant for me.
Sometimes we need to make a mistake and bash into a few doors in order to learn what our true calling or passion is. Like Jack, I've gone through several doors that I truly believe weren't meant for me simply because of my pride, and my own assumptions...
Sometimes we know our calling... sometimes it takes some mistakes to learn what God wants us to do... If you need some guidance, a good place to start would be to take a spiritual gifts inventory... it will help you to realize where God has gifted you... Wisdom is available to us... all we have to do is ask. James 1:5 reads: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Jack can teach us about the passions in our lives... we can use those passions to bring people to Christ! Enjoy the overture by Danny Elfman from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Have a great day!
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