Natural

It’s been 21 days since I last blogged. Sounds almost like an intro at a meeting, huh? I may ramble just a bit.

Since my last blog, I’ve been thinking about some pretty interesting things (to me at least)…

Youth Ministry is full of Ups and Downs, just like life…and just like life, it’s a “long-haul” commitment!

One major responsibility (privilege) in Youth Ministry is that of rightly dividing the Word for those under our care. We are to teach them that Truth is not situational and how to take in the wisdom of the Word and Live It Out as a natural overflow (Luke 6:45, Psalm 119:9-16). We should remind them that His Word is NOT outdated and disconnected! It IS wisdom for our lives and guidance for our decisions (Psalm 119:105).

Another area that Youth Ministries are to focus on is developing integrity and a sense of commitment in those under our care. This is best learned by example. The staff that leans into the kids lives in a loving, supportive, and challenging way will develop leaders that are healthy. They will grow student leaders that maintain the inward focus and relationship with Jesus but realize that that focus and relationship is best lived out by pouring into the lives of those around them. The church member or student in isolation from the world is as useless as the church or student ministry in isolation from the world (John 14:17-19).

I have had the opportunity to talk to and see several former students and youth staff from former churches  in the past month or so. And in thinking about them and the great kids and staff here at FBC Weaver, I am thankful to have known and served with them all. I know that above all else, God is the life changer! He is the inspirer, motivator, teacher, guide, shepherd, and developer of  the lives of the students and staff we work with. But it is good for this Youth Minister’s heart to see God still using and growing these that have meant so much to me. And I am thankful and humbled to have had any small part at all in their development. Surrendered leaders change lives. When you surrender, God can use you. And the really cool thing is…once He does use you, and there is no way to claim any credit for yourself, that becomes the place where your joy is found!

I’ve also seen  many who have walked away. They may not consider themselves walked away, but when you live as sinful as you like and then tip your hat at God on Sunday morning, I would say you either turned your back or never looked him truly in the face at all! Because a true taste of Jesus is life altering! For me, I don’t care to live life without Him or without the desire to follow even more closely! It hurts my heart to see people who were once excited about our Savior become calloused or hardened. This usually happens because their eyes were on everything other than God!

Having said all of this, I LOVE my calling to ministry. I am far from all I need to be, and I’m not OK with that. God is always there to restore me. Even when times are hard or people are harsh, I don’t think I could be fulfilled doing anything else. I am thankful that, at least in my heart and mind, I can’t separate  who I am from what I do. I pray that is what others see in me.

Yogi Berra once asked, “How can you think and hit at the same time?” What a deep thought! In baseball and softball, practice is the time to get the fundamentals of hitting down. When your time at the plate comes, you hope that what you have learned and what you are just gifted to do, flows naturally.

In my life, I pray that the things God has done in me and the things He has taught me flow from me naturally. May your life, in the ups and downs, be a natural overflow of what He is doing in your heart!

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out oh the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

This entry was posted on March 25, 2010 at March 25, 2010 and is filed under Devotion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.