"So Chrissian, how have you been?"
This is always a difficult question to answer. Namely because I have to discern just how vulnerable I want to be, and just how much I want to disclose. It is a question I always want to answer honestly, especially being a person that wears his heart on his sleeve. I feel that the last six weeks I have been asked this question more than any other point in my life. So while I've neglected this blog and haven't posted anything, I figured I'd keep everyone updated by typing this out.
Let me start by saying that God is sovereign. That alone answers any question about my well being in my eyes, namely because if the God of the universe is in control, imma be alright (Romans 8:28).
That being said, lets talk about the ministry this passed semester and talk about what God has really been up to. We were able to raise up a student leadership team at "the awakening" and they were a part of cultivating a culture where young adults from all backgrounds can come learn about Jesus and chase after Him. I think this is the biggest attribute that a ministry that is pursuing diversity should have. One student leaders are important, and equipping and enabling them to be your tone setters when it comes to culture is essential. Relying on yourself is foolish, I'll get back to that in a minute. Then we have the portion of what culture is set, and I never wanted the awakening to be a Christian club here in Jacksonville. What I mean by that is I don't want it to be a place where Christians come and hangout. No. I want it to be a place where Christians are coming and actively doing ministry. That's so important to me. Every single person should feel welcome in your ministry to find out what the Bible has to say and who Jesus is.
Our leadership team is actively doing that, while also trying to pass classes and have a social life of their own. One of the biggest illusions of college is that you feel like you will be there forever, and it is so easy to fall into complacency of a routine that you rely on, when in reality, you should be relying on what God is doing in your life and the Holy Spirit leading you. This team continually makes their relationship with God their priority, and while they aren't perfect, the God they lovingly serve is and so is His grace.
People of all backgrounds, all cultures, all beliefs, and every walk of life should be able to come and see what Jesus is doing in our lives, without them ever feeling as if they don't belong.
The leadership team has made me so proud and has humbled me so greatly at the same time. They are young people who passionately want to serve Christ, His church, and His people. I am simply blessed that I get to be their shepherded and manage them and their difference in personalities.
Which brings me to a big announcement. Officially, starting today, I have made the transition from the staff residency program, to full-time staff at AwakenChurch Jax. I will be serving as Director for "the awakening" and also as a Digital Content Creator for the church.
If you would have told me a year ago today that ministry would be my full-time job, I don't think I would have believed you. But God has been MOVING in my life this last year, and I can without a doubt say that I am exactly where He wants me to be, everything else is secondary to that. I want to be a Spirit led man, one that chases after the Holy Spirit more than anything else. I firmly believe that for this time period of my life, this is my calling.
God has been steadily giving me a dose of humility over the last several weeks. The form of humility that He has given me as well, is humbling in and of itself. Rather than being absolutely wrecked by my depravity of needing God, He has been lightly tugging on the strings of my heart and convicting me in different areas of my life. Getting back to how relying on yourself is foolish. It's foolish to think that me a singular person would be able to effectively reach an entire city of young adults and college students with the gospel of Christ. Seeing others being gifted differently than me be effective when they're Spirit led, as well as understanding that every single job does not fall on my shoulders is humbling in the best way possible. Student leadership keeps you on your toes, and enabling students to take part in the inner workings of what goes on in ministry and what type of culture you have is again, essential. I realize, I never want to be a person that doesn't delegate and isn't fixated on equipping and raising up leaders and enabling students to themselves lead.
Knowing that I myself was poured into heavily at Pensacola BCM and was equipped during my time there, is humbling. It also just goes to show that the Lord is sovereign over my life and was preparing me for this very moment. So many different things have been going on over the years that now I do feel prepared for, and even inadvertently trained for.
Getting back to the question that started this all. I am doing well. Even in my brokenness, I am loved and blessed beyond tangible measure. I do not have everything that I wanted when I turned 24, but I have so much more than what I need. I have a church family that loves and supports me, friends that care about me, parents and siblings that take care of me, and a God who is sovereign over every single thing. I am well, and I am counting the blessings I have. I've grown as a communicator, I've grown as a listener, and I've grown as a leader. In my weakness, I will boast about the strength Christ gives me and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Maybe I'll actually start posting more regularly, who knows. Until next time, stay blessed, and keep it clutch.
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