I recently resigned from a ministry position that God took me to in January of 2009. I had the privilege of being the youth minister to approximately 8-10 youth that came and went intermittently. So, maybe God allowed me to touch their lives or plant some seeds that will one day grow into a massive oak tree!
The time I had with these guys was totally life changing and something that I will never forget. The times of sitting down with them on the floor and going over the bible together, laying hands on one another and praying for each others needs. This was probably without a doubt the most powerful experience that I have ever had with them.
I will never forget going to Mobile, AL for M- Fuge (mission fuge). It was the first time I've ever driven a Mini- Bus and probably taught them how to pray deeply into the Spirit!!! LOL! That summer I probably scared them but God got us to Mobile unscathed just shaken up.
These kids got to go into the city to minister to those who were in need. They came back with the best stories that brought laughter and deep thought. Some of these guys had never experienced the inner city and this kind of culture. I believe that there was a change that was beginning to take place in their lives.
Worship was such an amazing time for all of us. We had some amazing times together in our meetings right after worship. I will never forget when the camp Pastor talked about holiness and how important it was for us to be mindful in asking God to help us to pursue it. We went back to the group session where Holy Spirit began to work on them by grinding down their self will. They began to talk about the things they do in their lives and how they really hated its effects. I saw kids weep because of their sin and this was the most powerful time of the week.
One of the most amazing things about this week was it just wasn't some kind of spiritual high, but it was a week where God had called them to come home and continue the same things they had been doing.
One youth was led to start a special PCY (Painting, Construction, and Yard Work) ministry. This went over very well for our church. People were turning in applications and were donating tools. This was a special ministry because it brought our group and church together.
There was two other youth that started a morning show called The New Vision Review. This was like a morning show where announcements were read and they had a" Member Of The Day" This was also extremely encouraging for our church because it brought a connection of the young all the way to the young at heart.
I began to see God showing me that he wanted to write a new chapter in my life. I was extremely scared of it because it was going to be unfamiliar. I wanted to stay where I was because I believed the best was yet to come. As Americans we are taught to work hard, commit, don't take no for an answer. We also believe the lie that things are crumbling because you aren't doing your part.
Grace is something that many of us don't understand. God's grace and favor must be working through you for something to be successful. I have been reminded by an amazing brother in Christ that people don't understand that the Spirit of God blows where it wishes. When the Spirit of God has stopped blowing in certain areas of our lives our efforts are desperately futile to resurrect anything.
I have to say that saying goodbye is a very heart wrenching thing for many of us. Trust me, God will always let us know what He wants us to do and will do it without asking us if we are ready for it. He begins to whisper to us in very profound ways that its time... time to go... time to stop... and time to rest.
It is time for a new chapter to be written in my life and I am letting go of the old one. I am looking back at the amazing things that the Spirit caused to happen. With thanksgiving and a heart that is worshiping the Father. I am moving on.
Excitement fills my soul when I think about what He is going to do in their lives. If we love God more than ourselves we will do what we are called to.
Take comfort in what the Apostle Paul said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."Philippians 3:14.
