So what's new for 2014? Well, believe it or not...I've been married for just over 6 months to my wonderful and beautiful wife Leah. I've mentioned it before and I will mention again here and many more times in the future...I could not ask God for a more awesome blessing than the friendship and support of my loving PFL (Partner For Life!). She more than anyone else has made this past year the happiest of my life. And to be fair, she has also helped me through the hardest moments this past year as well (some of those moments being our own arguments and conflicts together I might add).
By this summer, I will have been serving at my church Home of Christ in Menlo Park for three years! So far I've made it past the Gallup studies that estimate the average term for a youth minister is 18 months. I guess I can wipe some sweat from my brow now...but in all seriousness, I am thankful that God has provided a place for me to call my "home" church. It's not been easy but it has been one amazing learning experience. There is not higher privilege in my mind than God giving me an opportunity to build relationships, care for youths, and work with volunteers to build up His kingdom. So I am grateful and I hope that this year the obstacles won't look like exit signs but entrance signs for me to push through and press on to the work that God has called me to do.
What do I look forward to this year? Matthew 18:1-6 says,
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
I liked reading this passage in the King James Version because I see the emphasis on how Christ says we are to humble oneself as a child of God. My prayer is that I serve my Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart, mind, and soul this year. Just as my Savior has received me with open arms, I hope to share that same love with all those that I shepherd this year. I hope that for you too, you will find that God is receiving you with open arms and wants you to do the same with others around you.
No comments:
Post a Comment