So we are less than a week until Christmas and I still have a lot to do, but I am feeling like I am done with the work I need to do before Christmas. Yesterday I got an email from Youth Specialties that talked about youth ministry and it really was a good description of how it is. The story talked about the angels proclaiming "Be not afraid." During the Christmas story. Let me share my favorite part.

Let's be honest: working with teenagers, no matter how much you love them and are called to this ministry, is cause for fear. They're a messy lot. The work is never done. The needs are never fully met. The demands and expectations of youth ministry pull in every direction, often in opposition with one another. If you live into this calling, sooner or later, you'll get hurt; you'll get ignored; you'll be misunderstood; you'll be blamed; you'll be misrepresented; and you'll screw up.

Isn't that the truth. The work isn't done. Sure, right now I'm not doing a whole lot because I have Christmas set before I go. But as soon as I get back, I've got a lock in, another trip for work (Perkins School of Youth Ministry) then I have to be thinking about another Sr. High weekend, a Jr. High weekend, and confirmation. I've got a stack of stuff I'm taking home to be working on and looking through while I am home. The work truly is never done.

But looking into the future, I am excited. I am not afraid of all that is looming in the distance. I can't be afraid if my kids get mad at me, I just have to deal with the cards I get dealt. In some cases, ministry like this has to be focused on putting out fires sometimes. I have to be prepared, yes, but unexpected things are going to happen from time to time and I just have to take them how they go.

The email was a good reminder to me to take it all one day at a time. So from me to you, I hope that you take the time this season to be not afraid. It is well worth it.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 2:20 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.