I think most, if not all, of us would say that we entered this ministry field in order to help people. After all, our titles have the word “Assistant” in them! So working with people was something we embraced. If you’ve spent any time at all in ministry – in life, really – you know that interacting with people can get bumpy. See if this sounds familiar: Cruising along in your lane, humming along to your favorite tune, getting things checked off your task list, and then WHAM lanes collide. Someone jumped in our lane! Or maybe we bumped into theirs. It can be startling. It can be surprising. And after a few of these collisions, it can be discouraging.
Years ago, I had a friend tell me that ministry would be easy if people were not involved. Of course, ministry, by definition, is only effective with people involved, sooooo….. What is a girl to do? Please understand that I am not making light of the profoundly discouraging interactions that can happen, but I do want to help us find perspective. We can’t set up camp in the discouragement, and we certainly can’t let it distract us from our assignment.
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1
Stay the course, friends! We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on! Here are a few things that help me when those lanes collide:
- Acknowledge what happened and catch your breath.
*God created us with feelings and emotions. Take a moment to recognize the hurt. - PRAY
*That hurt? Hand it over to Him. That mistake? Hand that over to Him too. And invite His healing work in your heart. - Forgive and ask for forgiveness
*As believers, we don’t have the option of holding on to unforgiveness. Nor do we have the option of ignoring pain we have caused others. Forgive where needed and ask for it too!
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
- Get back in the race.
*He has equipped you for this work and is with you in it!
Now may the God of peace,
who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hebrews 13: 10-21
So brush off those knees and tighten your laces. Lift your eyes to look down the road and remember where you are headed. Focus on His grace and presence with you. Take the next step and find your way back into your stride – you have a race to run. And the Lord is with you each step of the way simply because…
You are adored.
You Are Adored 