Summer days, Lessons learned
What have I learned through a year of ministry? There is so much to say, but I'll keep them to three basic things
1.) The power of prayer... it's been stated over and over again that prayer is powerful, but I have seen through this year how powerful it can be. I have seen God answer prayers for healing, depression, logistics, etc, etc. I have felt others prayers for me in particular in the mornings when I wake to read God's word. Prayer has definitely changed the culture of our group on campus. It has been a way for us to rally together as a whole group to pray over others and ourselves. My own personal prayer life has become more bold as I write my prayers out, they are definitely bolder and bigger.
2.) Spiritual warfare is rampant! There have been many times this year when I've tried to engage people with gospel or scheduled times to discuss spiritual things, but for one reason or another something happens that prevents the meeting from happening. Whether someone gets sick, or overbooks or some emergency occurs, Satan definitely works against the ministry here. I have seen our outreach team encounter some warfare as well. I've learned that Satan is just as active, if not, more so than we are on this campus. It is scary, but I know that God is calling us to put on his full armor to march forward into the dark areas of campus.
3.) I am not patient... but God is. I thought I was a very patient person, but I think ministry definitely tested my patience. Waiting upon God and seeing his movement are not things that I do well. I like to see things accomplished, but God doesn't always work in that fashion. There were many times when I wanted students to move in certain directions because I felt that God was presenting students with tremendous opportunties to potentially share about the love of God. I realized that these opportunities are times when God wants me to trust in how he works and to trust in his timing not on what I felt. This does not mean that I'm suppose to be lazy and just sit back and watch, but it's about learning about how the holy spirit works in people and situations and to partner with him in the work that he is already doing. It is challenging, because once again I am not patient, but I am glad I'm growing in this area!
Thank you all again for your support in this ministry work! Please let me know how you all are and how I could pray for you!
1.) The power of prayer... it's been stated over and over again that prayer is powerful, but I have seen through this year how powerful it can be. I have seen God answer prayers for healing, depression, logistics, etc, etc. I have felt others prayers for me in particular in the mornings when I wake to read God's word. Prayer has definitely changed the culture of our group on campus. It has been a way for us to rally together as a whole group to pray over others and ourselves. My own personal prayer life has become more bold as I write my prayers out, they are definitely bolder and bigger.
2.) Spiritual warfare is rampant! There have been many times this year when I've tried to engage people with gospel or scheduled times to discuss spiritual things, but for one reason or another something happens that prevents the meeting from happening. Whether someone gets sick, or overbooks or some emergency occurs, Satan definitely works against the ministry here. I have seen our outreach team encounter some warfare as well. I've learned that Satan is just as active, if not, more so than we are on this campus. It is scary, but I know that God is calling us to put on his full armor to march forward into the dark areas of campus.
3.) I am not patient... but God is. I thought I was a very patient person, but I think ministry definitely tested my patience. Waiting upon God and seeing his movement are not things that I do well. I like to see things accomplished, but God doesn't always work in that fashion. There were many times when I wanted students to move in certain directions because I felt that God was presenting students with tremendous opportunties to potentially share about the love of God. I realized that these opportunities are times when God wants me to trust in how he works and to trust in his timing not on what I felt. This does not mean that I'm suppose to be lazy and just sit back and watch, but it's about learning about how the holy spirit works in people and situations and to partner with him in the work that he is already doing. It is challenging, because once again I am not patient, but I am glad I'm growing in this area!
Thank you all again for your support in this ministry work! Please let me know how you all are and how I could pray for you!
