Around four years of college. Long days and longer nights. Hours of studying, classes, and work. Cramming and soaking it all up for my future group of kids. Adjusting to college life, attempting to find balance in it all. Stressing out and growing up. Facing all the typical student problems. Trying and strengthening my faith. All with one purpose in mind. Fast forward. Graduation is over, at some point after that, my husband and I are given an opportunity to realize how unprepared we are, and learn the things Bible College doesn't teach you. The transition, exhaustion, and challenges of college no longer seems like a big deal compared to the now. Now I'm standing by my husband in front of a room full of teenagers as he tries to teach them. Each one having a different life, different personality, different situations; different needs. Each heart carrying it's own weight, and fighting a different battle. Yet, each one fighting against the same thing. All different, but still very much the same. Each precious one placed in our care. Each heart in need of something, each set of eyes looking at us to have the answers. Many people cringe when the word "teenager" is mentioned. Many labels are placed upon teens, such as lazy, irresponsible, naive, and selfish to name a few. And all too many live up to those "expectations" of them. But I see past those labels to who they are and what they can be. I see them. My heart goes out to "my kids" even now, and I haven't even met them yet.
I may see the youth group grow to a large number and shrink down to just my own kids. I may see it reach incredible peaks and spiritual highs only then go to extreme lows. I will invest myself into each of their lives. I will love them. They will be MY kids. I already know what it's like to have daycare/preschool kids, my church kids will a million times more like my own. I will walk with each of them personally, doing everything I can to shower those kids with love. I will make them mad at me because I love them so much and will want to shake them and make them see what they're doing is wrong and where they are headed. I will carry their burdens with them. I will pour my heart and life into them. Bathing them in prayer. Leading them to the Truth. I will be avoided by some, hated by a few, and resented by many. I will be overwhelmed with a balance between family and ministry. I will watch helplessly as my kids face indescribable circumstances and trials in their lives. Teens with much potential will walk away, fizzle out and give themselves into the clutches of sin. Others with a great zeal will have it scorched. My time will be given to these kids. I'll be there as we take them to and host youth activities. I'll survive week after week of Church camp and watch as lives are changed, and then left behind as they walk through the doors of their home. Blood, sweat, and tears will be invested. I'll support my husband as he gives of himself to these kids. Encouraging him, and going through everything we may face together. Getting our hearts crushed time and time again by these teenagers. I, myself, will fail time and time again. I will not have all the answers, or the right words. I won't show all the right emotions. I will offend parents and teens alike as hard as I would try not to. I will be placed to higher standards and expectations, criticized and scrutinized. Lied about and to, gossiped about. I will be accused of being prejudice no matter how I handle myself and my family. Not everyone will like me. Shocker. I will make people angry regardless of how godly I handle myself. Legalism, liberalism, laziness, ignorance, "religion", and tradition will be fought on a daily basis. It will be draining, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On call 24/7 365, despite "vacation days". My insanity will be tested and may become the new normal. Yet, despite all I may face, with courage, I'm anxiously looking forward to the future. Determined to boldly face the challenge. God gives promise of grace. My weaknesses; my MANY failures and times I put my foot in my mouth will be opportunities for Him to show Himself strong in my life. But why? Why am I so anxious to engage my life into this ministry? After knowing that choosing this life with disappoint a lot of my family, and hearing others tell me straight to my face that they don't expect me to make it; they expect me to fail like all those before me. Or, "Why not be like "so-and-so" and get a good paying job, save up your money and make a life for yourself. I'm proud of them. Why don't you just go enjoy life. Make us proud." What do you say to that? I'll say this. Then, I may be blessed with a few that though it may be hard, will take the tough stands, and do what's right. Who have a zeal for the Lord, and keep it burning. Who will be faithful and stand the test of time. Who will have a desire for Him and follow His will for their life; A few that I may have just a very small part in pointing them to Him. I may be given opportunities to lead these young children, teens, and adults alike to Him. Those.... who will make it all worth it. Matthew 16.25, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." It's not my life to live. It's His. He wants me there. And a life lived in the center of God's will is the best life you can live. There is no other option for me. Following Him in this area of my life is something I must do. It's not a sacrifice. In fact, It took my the longest time to wrap my mind around the "negatives" of the ministry because, I don't see it as such. Yes, I realize, there will be problems arise, and many of them, but He will be with me wherever He leads me. And despite my weaknesses, He will shine through. And it will be the most amazing life I could ever ask for. Many have a hard time giving God the "bare minimum". Like God should be happy He got what He did from them. Malachi 1.13a, "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it!...". People have a wrong idea of Christianity; of worship; of God. Romans 12.1, "I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Did you catch the last part? It's your reasonable service. That doesn't mean everyone should give themselves to full-time ministry. But in a way, yes. We should all give ourselves fully to the ministry of Christ, and not just on a part-time, or weekend basis. He should be honored through everything we do. Quite recently I heard it said, "We have the wrong attitude for the things of God. In our minds, God is asking too much. For many, God has become an inconvenience." I've seen that so much lately. People complain when help is asked from them, they hide when volunteers are needed, and God has become an inconvenience to them. They don't have time for Him. They don't have a desire for Him. But, then there are the few who will do things unasked, and accomplish what they are asked to do cheerfully and willingly. They are those who don't view the Lord's work as an inconvenience, but as a blessing to be able to do something for Him and to be used by Him. Whether it be full-time service, or a church member who has been called to serve God in their church, we shouldn't view what we have been called to do as a drudgery. Despite the position in the church, we all are, or should be, working together toward the same goal. We have all been given the same commission. Church staff is not someone we pay to do the work we don't want to do. You can't pay someone to be "spiritual" for you. Witnessing is not reserved for the the Pastor. Neither is any other command. We need to beg Him to change our heart and light it on fire for Him. He should come before everything. He is most important. He deserves everything we could ever give Him. "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you..." 2 Corinthians 2:15
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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