I guess there is complete irony in my heart as I type this. Like many of you I am responsible for getting some pretty major things off the ground each fall. I plan the school year calendar for 7th-12th grade at my church, plan the Sunday School curriculum, re-write the youth group curriculum, communicate all this to my 20 small group leaders and then make sure it all gets mailed out to parents. It's what we all do.Tonight is my leaders meeting. The details of the calendar are coming together. Today is about checking the details of the curriculum through about Thanksgiving, printing it out, making certain small groups are set and then training my volunteers. Some of them should probably be doing the training tonight because they are experienced and passionate!
With all this on my plate today I found myself thinking, "So what?" So I got the stuff printed and handed it out. The lessons have come together (and they look great to me). I have been busy for weeks trying to pull this together as I live the regular busyness of life and work. And now it's together, and I'll hand it over to my leaders tonight.
I want to share the truth, and I want my adult leaders to be ready to do so, too, but it's my life (and theirs) that our students need. The information must be backed up by a corresponding obedience to the truth and a willingness to share our lives with them. (1 Thess 2:8 says, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.")
So right here in this moment when I probably should be scurrying around trying to finalize another detail I sit down to write. I can't help but think that the more beneficial thing to do would be to pray for my small group leaders: Jason, Ehren, Linda, Danielle, Heather, Liz, Connie, Ben, Nikki, Mike, Lori, Bryan, Kent, Lyn, Heather, Terry, Jeanie, Carol, Brenda and even me. Oh ya, I need 3 or 4 more, Lord. Especially guys. Help me, Lord!
I long for these people to walk closely with the Savior. I long for them to be familiar with the Word who is Jesus. The Spirit is going to have to fill their mouths with the words of life to a generation of rich kids. The rich kids have heard this all before. If any of them come to Christ it's going to be a miracle because they trust themselves so much, and their parent's wealth. I did that, too. But it's possible if we trust God for a miracle.
So as I prepare for the curriculum and the calendar, I may just fail by succeeding at all the wrong things. Lord, stop my busyness and help me pray!
1 comment:
Jon, you truly are a hard working man for your God, and church. The best part is even while being successful in your tasks you search out God's word for a better way to serve. And you're definitely on the right track with prayer. Nehemiah was extremely busy himself as the king's cup-bearer; he had to be with the king, taste-test, sometimes advise, deal with other courtly politics, and much more I'm sure. Yet the first thing he did after hearing about Jerusalem was to stop and pray. "When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and PRAYED to the God of heaven."
The big thing I want to encourage you with though, is to let you know that all the work you do truly pays off. In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah we're shown how much God cares for even a single life. Well, through the feeling of family that you have instilled in our youth group, and through events like Districts, Nationals and the regular youth group/Sunday school, you have helped bring me to Christ (though He actually does the work obviously, you're a catalyst. ;)). And I know many others have similar stories, which is all the more testament to the way God is using you.
I know I say a lot, but I want you to know how special you are to me, and the other youth.
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