The Journey Continues

Well I've decided after spending almost 2 years blogging specifically on the student ministry I lead that it's time to start blogging about life outside of salem student ministry. Today is the last day of September and I can't believe where time has gone over the past 6 months. I do know that I have learned a lot about ministry, Mel, life in general and myself in the past 6 months I wouldn't trade for anything. It's funny how God puts you into certain situations and other circumstances that sometimes prepare you for something later in life whether it be tomorrow or 22 years later or further. All I know is that the journey continues. I am so glad I am not where I was in 1999. I spoke with my old youth pastor who left the church I was at August 1999 and 10 years ago this next month the pastor left. That was a hurting confusing time yet God was faithful and that church as a sophomore that dwindled down to 70 on Sundays was up to 200 by the time I graduated High School with amazing vision and spiritual growth. I didn't see it at the time, but God was doing something that was prepping me for 2007. 5 Years ago this month is when I first met Mel. I never though as well as she never thought we would be where we are at today. Not that where we are at is negative, you just think things will go a certain way and then you find out you're not God (I definitely don't want to be) and He actually has everything under control. If you told me I was going to be a youth pastor at a good church in Illinois I would laugh. The image of Sarah laughing at the 3 visitors comes up but to compare that to her would mean doubting God or some other sin so I don't think I will do that...even though I just typed it. What I do know is something I was reminded of today: God has a bigger picture. Job in the Bible went through a ton of stuff and he never understood. Now that we see the bigger picture as we read the Bible story we get it but at the time Job didn't get it. I'm not saying I experience his suffering but God has reminded me that we don't understand what we go through until we find out how much God used something in our life that we didn't understand to lift up another Christian or to lead another pre-Christian to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. So be encouraged if things aren't going according to plan. They might actually be going according to God's plan.