With 4 years of seminary under my belt, I walked into my first ministry with a long agenda. As a new pastor, I thought I was there to change that place. Instead, God used that place to change me.
The board members were supportive, but they relentlessly kept my feet to the fire in administrative details. I needed to learn how to work with lay leadership, how to be careful in my work, and how to dream with others.
We often think God has assigned us to change the world around us when in reality He is interested in changing us. Why? To make each of us “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). God often uses the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places to teach us some of life’s most difficult lessons. And just when we think we’ve arrived, He is instructing us further.
Not long ago I entered a new season of ministry. I may be a “seasoned veteran,” but I’m still learning, still growing, and still amazed at how God continues to shape this vessel for His noble purposes.
If you want to be an agent of change, don’t resist the true Agent of Change. He has your best interest—and His—at heart!
- our Daily Bread daily devotionals
Apr 15, 2010
Apr 6, 2010
My Walk With Him, chapter 2
I looked at him, stared at him, blinked at him. Hesitantly. Yet he just continued to smile... and wait. Can I trust him? Is he to be trusted? He seems nice... but...
"Is it a good path?" I asked.
"Walk with me, and I will share with you the wonders of this world. The splendor and beauty within everything. The joy that will rise from deep within your soul. The true life that nourishes and satisfies."
He paused.
"But I will not conceal from you this too. It's will not be all sunny and fair weather. There will be storms to brave. There will be hills and mountains to climb. There will be deserts to cross. There will be darkness to conquer. There will be lions and dragons to fight."
My eyes widened as I knew not what to say.
He took a step towards me, "but this I promise you: whatever it is, I will be with you, and you will never brave the elements alone."
He extended his hand, "so will you walk with me?"
"Is it a good path?" I asked.
"Walk with me, and I will share with you the wonders of this world. The splendor and beauty within everything. The joy that will rise from deep within your soul. The true life that nourishes and satisfies."
He paused.
"But I will not conceal from you this too. It's will not be all sunny and fair weather. There will be storms to brave. There will be hills and mountains to climb. There will be deserts to cross. There will be darkness to conquer. There will be lions and dragons to fight."
My eyes widened as I knew not what to say.
He took a step towards me, "but this I promise you: whatever it is, I will be with you, and you will never brave the elements alone."
He extended his hand, "so will you walk with me?"
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