Day 3 of Sabbatical
Sometimes we grumble. I heard somebody once say ..”God hates it when we grumble!”
On Sundays, I teach 4th grade boys bible study at my church. I became part of the children’s ministry program because there was a shortage of volunteers and friend in my men’s ministry group nominated me. At the time, I wasn’t actively looking to do this but it sounded interesting and since I do enjoy teaching, I agreed. This is my second year teaching and it has brought me great blessings and I do enjoy it. Lately, Ive been contemplating whether I want to teach again next year. We recently moved and now our church is a little farther, it would make my Sunday a little longer and I would have less time with my family on Sundays. So you could say- I am kind of grumbling.
I prayed about it this morning on my way in to church.
There is a young man in my class and his name is Patrick. Patrick is a new student in our class and new to Texas. This young man has been such an encouragement to me! The first day he attended my class he was very sad and isolated himself from the group ( to be expected as “the new kid”). I took Patrick aside and asked him what was wrong. He then continued to tell me his story. Patrick and his family left their home in the Northeast due to domestic violence issues within his family. They (all 5 of them!) moved in with his friend Troys family. He mentioned how it was difficult to not have his own room and how it was crowded being in that house. He also mentioned to me that his Dad was interviewing for jobs and he hoped he would get a job soon so they could have their own house again. Of course at the conclusion of class we all prayed for Patrick and his family. This day was one of the most powerful days in my time in that classroom. I realized that we never really know how we can affect someones life through ministry.
For my reading during sabbatical, I selected Timothy Keller’s book “Jesus The King”. As I read this paragraph from his book in regards to our relationship with God and service it really spoke to me about my decision:
“your glorifying something when you find it beautiful for what it is in itself. Its beauty compels you to adore it….When you say , “I’ll serve as long as I’m getting benefits from it,”…that’s not actually serving people; it’s serving yourself through them”
This statement really made me think ..”Am I teaching the Gospel to these young men to look unselfish?Dutiful? Christian? Or do I really love sharing the Gospel?! What a sobering and profound question.
Meanwhile today in 4th grade bible study our lesson was on the story of God choosing Mary to be Jesus Mother (Luke 1:26-56) and Mary’s willingness to go along with God’s plan. As I was cleaning up after all my students left, I noticed my little buddy Patrick had left his activity sheet behind. I picked it up and read his answer to today’s journal question. Dealing with Mary’s story…the question was ” List a few reasons you would be willing to follow God’s plan for your life.”
I’m sure you are curious what my little buddy Patrick’s response was to today’ journal question but as they a picture is worth a thousand
words. I attached it below along with a picture of him and his friend Troy I had in my archive.
In ministry, are we doing the blessing or we the ones being blessed?
Thanks to my little buddy Patrick for simplifying this complex idea.