Give it Away

In the words of a cheesy Capri pant clad Michael W. Smith "Love isn't love 'till you give it away" What he didn't say is that it sucks doing so. Student ministry is like trying to eat steamed rice with smooth chop sticks- you just pray every once in a while a single grain will stick long enough to get it to your mouth- in other words it's hard. I am currently only a year and a half in to investing in these students and already there have been amazing things happen- a LOT of growth and some real measurable depth- all of which I take very little credit for. So if I understand it correctly I am supposed to invest, invest, invest in these lives and in the short amount of time I have to influence them (about 40 hours a year from 6 years so at best 240 hours on influence). Through this time allow them unlimited experiences that have great potential to connect them to a relationship with God, equip them with some tools to share their faith with their friends and serve, serve, serve. No pressure- Right? I am over-sensitized today to the fact that any change within a students life is solely an act of God and God's grace in their lives. How can any of us really expect to change lives apart from God's work on earth? We are so vain though- me especially. God help us all to rise above petty and shallow vanity.
I do love my students. They are always on my mind, consume my thoughts, and challenge my faith in so many ways. I am deeply blessed to do what I do- I don't deserve to get to do it- I understand it as a grace thing and nothing more or less. There are times when I hate it, there are times when I am completely in love with it, and many in-between days. There aren't a lot of boring days and that is a great thing. Today is post graduation Sunday Monday (this makes sense in my mind so that is all that counts right now) and I feel a huge sense of urgency... I know time is "like a bald cheetah." I need desperately to find the space to plan and purpose experiences for my students. That takes a lot of work on the front end but pays off big when it comes to fruition. Simplified, deliberate, and relevant- this is much easier said than done.
My prayer today in the midst of my a.d.h.d. reeling is this: God grant my the legs to run this amazing race of life set before me, the wisdom to see ahead, the courage to press on regardless of the struggle or criticisms, the peace to "woo-saw", the grace to love every student no matter how unlovable they might seem, the power to do what I am called to do, the gentleness to comfort the broken, the hands to serve beyond comfort, and the passion to be unwavering in pursuit of God and God's will on the earth.