God is Greater than our Inadequacies

Why do I feel so inadequate to do God's will?  If he has called me to be his chosen, then I should embrace the opportunity and let him use me. Sometimes it's not even "God's will" we feel negative about, it's everyday life. Why do I feel to inadequate to be a minister, or to be a mentor, or to be a husband.

It seems to me that my sense of inadequacy revolves around a concern with my abilities. My problem is that I trust to much in my own abilities and limitations, rather than what God has given me. I'm reminded of our buddy and number 2 favorite children's Bible story man, Moses. (Noah being the first, of course.) God had planned from before the formation of the heavens and earth how he was going to use Moses. The same guy that created my youth group, your dreams and the musical key of F#, created a purpose for Moses. (Ironically, this huge and awesome Master also chose to speak to him using - to the untrained eye - the makings of a small desert fire.) So God tells Moses that he has plans, Moses whimpers and comes up with excuses left and right. One of his lame reasoning's is that he is not eloquent of speech. I'm sure he wasn't a very good speaker, remember he was a murderer, not a liar. Maybe had a stuttering issue or a speech impediment. Regardless,  he wasn't trusting in God for ability, he was focusing on his own limitations.

How often do we put our focus on our own abilities and limitations when God says "do my will."  I know that I'm not strong enough to do what needs to be done. No one is. But he is our strength, he is our ability, he is our God. What is that Proverb... trust in the lord, don't lean on your own understanding, agree with him in all your ways; and what happens? He will make your paths straight. (3:5-6) What a blessing!

There is/was a medical doctor in south Texas who was new to the practice. His employment took him to a company that allowed him to work alongside a veteran doctor who had a very good record of successful surgeries. This new-to-the-practice doctor scrubbed up and walked into the surgery room with the veteran doctor and the rest of the assistants. When it was time to begin, the veteran doctor handed the scalpel to the young doctor and said you're doing this surgery. He said 'this is an appendectomy and I'm assisting you.' Amazed, but terrified, the young doc exclaimed that he had never performed an appendectomy before, that he didn't know what he would be doing. The veteran doctor looked at him and said, "It's important that you try your best. I've been in the game for a long time now; I can perform any procedure you ask of me. So there is nothing that you can do to this patient that I can't fix."

Even when we think that we have screwed up bad, that our inadequacies are unforgivable, remember that there is absolutely nothing that we can do that God can't fix. That puts my soul at ease. He is the Great Physician.


So what have I learned from studying about my sense of inadequacies:
1. John 16 teaches us that when we feel inhibited, we must remember that instead we are inhabited.

2. God used an ordinary bush and set it on fire to put his calling into motion. Maybe we're not only like Moses in our concerns regarding our abilities, but also like that burning bush. Plain, typical, thorny, hundreds alike. And our desire should be wanting to be lit on fire for His purpose. The only difference is that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)

3. His glory can be seen in the midst of my inadequacies. (1 Corinthians 1:26 - 2:5)

4. God is greater than my inadequacies! :)



my prayer: light an all consuming fire within me

My past years' learning repertoire

Good grief, I haven't web logged my thoughts in exactly one year. My juggling act in ministry has changed drastically in this past year yet I still feel as if I'm at the end of the learning curve. I just completed my third year in full-time youth ministry so why am I just now learning specifics of the job!? Yes, it feels so often that in ministry I have no clue what's going on. Just as soon as I feel connected to the kids, one will go off and do something so incredibly stupid that... oh wait, sounds just like me! I guess we're all the same really. I'm a sinner, saved by grace.

But this journey continues to be a learning experience. Thus, here is my one year learning... repertoire, if you will:

1. I've learned to make my own decisions. No more stale programs or useless events; but a newness that is bringing our kids closer to Christ.

2. I've learned to say no. Oh dear word 'no' where have you been all my life.

3. I've learned to keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your fellow youth ministers closest. I don't believe I could survive without the compassion and support of these guys.

4. I've learned that my God and the church are not one in the same. I believe that God is and always will be first in my life. Church life, however, will not take that number one spot. I've seen too many people place ministry work before their families; thus resulting in broken relationships. A healthy compromise seems to be necessary.

5. I've learned that I don't have to see immediate results. The power of Christ is at work in every teenager at Parkview, no doubt in my mind.

6. I've learned that old farts will be old farts. Many people are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few people seem to be in pursuit of the goal.

7. I've learned I can't change you, no matter how hard I try. It's God doing.

8. I've learned a daily calendar is of the utmost importance in this field.

9. I've learned to trust cautiously but love unconditionally. - I usually love cautiously, which makes me wonder if that is true ἀγάπη (agape).

10. I've learned that I don't have to look or appear intelligent with big words or deep theological discussions. If I can share my and Jesus' story with someone which leads them to Gods arms, his will is being done.

Why didn't I know these things prior to now? Maybe I did, but refused to listen; or was too caught up in playing a role rather than living the prayer.

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed is your name,
Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

My First 2 Weeks as a Youth Minister

My first two weeks as a youth minister began two weeks ago. Not literally, because I've been wearing the title for about 2 years now, but I feel like 'ministry' just kicked in...

Two weeks ago I took our kids to camp. Nothing to spectacular there, except for the lengths I had to go through to get to this camp. Upsetting folks and spending a lot of money were two of the biggest. This new camp (camp Ichthus) offered something my kids have never experienced before. They witnessed the presence of GOD. And even better, they realized it! I have yet to see a spiritual youth group until that week. It just about brought me to tears, I was so happy to see these kids experience.

Just when things couldn't get any better, we head off to New Mexico to conduct a Vacation Bible School and hang with the children at the NM Christian Children's Home. Our teens and adults did an amazing job of the VBS drama, but I saw a complete opposite side of them. What was strong and passionate at camp, had totally disappeared in New Mexico. Laziness, language, bellyaching, disrespect, anger, sulking and belittlement. I haven't witnessed such immature behavior since the PV youth group of 2001! (sorry guys).

So, as the youth minister, I will tackle all these issues, in a Christian manner. Why can't I just tell them they're all immature little punks? I love them too much to say that... So I'm going to take this Sunday morning off to pray instead. Don't want to say something I shouldn't...

It feels like I just experienced two ends of the student ministry spectrum; the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Ugh :(

my prayer: patience, patience and patience.