Ministry | Feeing It.

I’m in the middle the third week of a new ministry year. I think that my head hurts more today than it did during the week before we launched our programming for this year. I went into yesterday thinking that I’d be able to get down to business and focus on getting my work done. But as days go, it was one filled with non-stop meetings and conversations. It turns out that work of three-weeks in is more difficult than the work of one-week out.

Thankfully the first meeting of the day set the tone for all that would follow.

Every Tuesday morning throughout the ministry year, our entire family ministries team gathers to celebrate ministry wins as well as pray for what’s on the horizon. Our meetings throughout September have been more motivational than usual. Our resident family ministries guru knows that we need encouragement.

Yesterday he brought in our executive pastor who followed the promptings of the Spirit and shared with us exactly what we needed to hear.

When God called Isaiah as the prophet to Judah, Isaiah’s job description was to do what God called him to do even when no one would listen to him and reject everything he had to say.

Isaiah asked, “How long will this take?” And God basically says, “Until I’m finished doing what needs to be done and Judah is laid to waste.”

So let me understand this: Isaiah has one of the WORST job descriptions of all time that will zap him of all of his energy and will offer not one bit of personal satisfaction.

OK, as long as we have that straight.

It’s no wonder that about halfway through Isaiah’s journey we find Isaiah 40…

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

We’re here. We’re felling it. We’re experiencing the effects of making ministry happen, and we’ve got a long way to go.

It’s only September.

Yesterday, I was encouraged and reminded that God is still on the throne. God is still in control. We must faithfully serve him in His calling on our lives, whatever that may be. He will give us the strength to complete it in his time (not in ours).

And that, my friends, is hope!

What is offering you hope and comfort right now in the craziness of your life?