What I've Learned in Youth Ministry Pt. 5

Patience, patience, patience!  If anyone knows me I am not a very patient person, which is unfortunate since it's a fruit of the Spirit.  But I have gotten a lot better, especially with youth ministry.  I've heard different people say that ministry is a marathon not a sprint and I have come to a point where I totally agree with that statement.  Now, even though I agree with it I still find it hard to live it.  Here are some examples:  

1.  Previously I would get down on myself if there wasn't immediate growth in my ministry or if a new idea wasn't successful right away.  All this did was leave me frustrated and down on myself.  Having patience has been very liberating, it gives me a break and it helps me stop giving myself black eyes if you know what I mean.  Impatience can lead to us being our worst enemy.  It leads to too much worry and stress.  I thank God that He has helped me get better at this.

2.  I've also learned to be patient with the spiritual growth of people.  Personally I had a very fast life changing experience with God.  Because of my experience sometimes I expect that to happen for everyone and that is the WRONG expectation.  I've learned we are all on a journey and everything will happen in God's timing, not mine.  Being patient with people has helped me become more compassionate and understanding.  I no longer have the thoughts of shaking some sense into them, well maybe just a little :).  Thanks God for humbling me and correcting my heart on this issue.

3.  I've also learned to be patient with God's timing.  The battle here is not allowing my impatience to lead to making things happen on my own.  I struggle with this big time, especially when we were looking for a position.  There were so many times I wanted to make things happen on my own, but thankfully I didn't and we were patient with God's timing, which has brought us to People's Church.  It wasn't easy and I battled impatience a lot but it was definitely all worth it.  Thanks God for putting me in check and reminding that it's not my will be done, but Yours.

A lack of patience in the ministry will cause some one to go crazy and get burned out, so ask God to help develop this fruit of the spirit in your life.  I know I need it in my life!