2. Obey. God is calling me to obedience. To just trust Him and have faith. He has revealed to me so many times this week, my lack of faith in who He is and what His Word says. So I have been challenged. Do I believe what I say and what I teach? I mean really believe it to the point that it changes my life. That may sound weird coming from a children's ministry director, but knowing God's word and walking in obedience is NOT the same thing.
3. God has reminded me of the power of prayer. Prayer changes things. We have power in prayer. God speaks to us through prayer. God answers prayer. My problem is not talking to God, it is listening. So He is challenging me to BE STILL and listen!
4. God has been pleased with my work and continue to water what I faithfully planted. I saw a Facebook post this week from an old friend that I served in ministry with several years ago. I left that church feeling defeated like I had failed the children and left the volunteers and leaders just when we were starting to connect. But I clearly felt God's leading to go. And to see how He has been faithful and raised up others to continue that ministry. I was grateful and encouraged.
5. God loves me. Yeah, I know He does, but here's the shade of difference. I know my husband loves me, but when he says it, it is a confirmation. That's what God has been doing for me. Just saying, "Daughter, I love you." Through the speakers here at the conference, through the worship music, through friends who sent me words of encouragement before I spoke. I needed to hear it, and He brought it in spades like He always does.
6. Encourage others who walk in ministry with you. We never know where our brothers and sisters are or what they're dealing with. So speak words of encouragement to them and life-affirming words over their lives. Let them know what they mean to you.
7. NEVER, EVER, EVER forget that the most important thing is the message of the Gospel. Without the cross and Christ's resurrection from the dead, we have NOTHING. When I lose sight of that to programs, processes, even people, I've lost sight of EVERYTHING. Christ must be first, last, center. Everything. I must decrease that He may increase. And at the end of the day, if I'm not doing everything I can to make Christ known, I've missed it. And truly, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose His soul. There must be an urgency in that understanding and application.
So I'm totally charged up. Not sure what's next, but I have faith that God knows, so I will follow.
