I am a Youth Pastor.

It is very weird to hear myself say those words after 17 years of not doing full-time ministry. Actually my title is Director of Youth Ministries, but this is what I am introduced as…  When God called me to minister to youth in 1998, I never dreamed I would be doing it as a volunteer for so long, but God had a lot of life to teach me first. Looking back, there were other opportunities, but God shut the doors for reasons I can now see.  I am excited to say I am now doing my dream job, although it isn’t really a ‘job’ but more I get to ‘do life’ with some adult leaders and students that God has put in my life.

I was reviewing catechism curriculum today and as I studied the Question and Answer #1, “What is our only hope in life and death?” I was reminded “that we are not our own, but belong body and soul to our Savior Jesus Christ”  This brings so much comfort knowing that God’s got a plan for our lives and we need not fret the little stuff.   We are to strive to live our lives according to His will, asking Him to show our meaning and purpose.  Romans 14:7-8 says “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord,  So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lords.”  Whether you believe in God or not, you cannot deny the feeling of peace when someone else is in control; (unless you’re a control freak of course).  For example, if you are riding in the car with someone you trust driving, you are able to relax and enjoy the ride.  It’s like knowing Christ is real- that He’s got the steering wheel and you are along for the ride.  Yes, you need to do your part and be a ‘good’ rider- such as not throwing fits which distract the driver, or paying attention to what is going on around you so you know when to get your shoes on for a stop.  In our ride with Christ, we still need to do our part and live according to how He guides us to live through Scripture.  When you kick and scream and want to get out of your safety belt (not live the Christian way) it creates a difficult time in your life, and sometimes an arm, (or consequence) will attempt to redirect your attitude or life back on track. 

Knowing that I am ‘along for the ride’ in Christ’s plan for my life gives me an assurance that whatever happens, as long as I am in tune with God’s Word and staying in touch with Him in prayer, that what comes out of my mouth and heart will be for His glory.

I am super excited to see where we get to go.