Friends or co-opters of gifts

Since moving to San Francisco I've learned a lot about those in my past. I've realized that true friends still care for you even when they can't use your gifts and talents, while those you thought were your friends seem to forget you exist, all because they can't use you anymore.

More and more I believe that Christ truly calls us to know someone intimately before we ask for a persons gifts and talents to be used at our expense. Recently my dad and I were discussing a church in VA that just lost their pastor and my dad is filling in. I asked him to pose a simple request to the church as they search for their new pastor, Do you truly know this man? How can a church know a mans spiritual, intimate, and private life by simply listening to a sermon and reading a resume? Too often we see someones talent and fail to test their relationship with God. What a dangerous place to take the children of God. How can a true man of God take a church as simply a hired hand, not knowing the people on a personal level? I do not believe this the kind of man God calls to lead His people.

Never again will I allow myself to be used the way most churches and orginizations use people, but more importantly, I pray I never use anyone to advance my own agenda.

Thank you to all of my friends that are still there, even though I have co-opted and mistreated you. Thank you for sticking with me as God taught me these valuable lessons. I love you and thank God that you all played a part in my learning.