I looked over at Justin, my just turned 20-year old co-worker whose birthday we were celebrating, and the only thought I could think of is how blessed I am to know this guy. How much bigger of a blessing it is to work along side him in ministry too. Then my next thought came, "this will not be forever."
I have been tremendously blessed over the last six years to do ministry along side so many different people. Different ethnicities, personalities, etc. I've met some of my best friends in ministries along the way and have worked with some people who have such a heart for God that is just pushes me closer to Him and makes me want to grind harder for His Kingdom.
While I have been truly blessed with these opportunities and being able to meet all these people, one thing that I've learned and am starting to take into more and more considerations is that it will not be forever. I mean that in the best way possible. I mean that in the sense that right now, in this moment, the people I do ministry with, it is for this current season or stage in life. It's not a guarantee that I will be able to look to my right or to my left to see these same people three, five, seven years down the line. I think that's the even bigger part of the blessing, isn't it? To know that I've been able to do ministry with some people and that God has called them to a new mission, or to a new city, or even a new country.
It will not be forever.
I think about Justin and his desire to reach the nations and share about Jesus and what Jesus has done for all who incline their ears to listen. I think about one of my best friends Keegan who has wanted to be a pastor since he was 14 years old. Keegan currently serves in college ministry in Pensacola with his wife, Karmen; they plan to be missionaries at the end of this year before the potential return back to the States for him to attend seminary. I think about my good friend David who was instrumental in bringing me into community when I needed it and all the days of serving the BCM building with him and getting all the wisdom that he had to offer. I think about the team from SCL (Seminole Christian Life, a sister church in Tallahassee) and Lee Gordon (one of their pastors) and how we just completed a local mission trip here in Jacksonville to serve the refugee population. The saddest part is knowing that it is only for a time that we get to be along side these people.
I have many more people that I am thinking of, but I want you to get the point. Who we get to serve in ministry with is a blessing. A blessing that isn't always going to be consistent.
Which brings me to marriage.
Marriage, as far as my earthly life is concerned, is forever. Marriage is a vessel in which my partner will always be to my right or to my left when we are serving together in ministry, and someone that will be a part of my refining process for the rest of my life. It makes me think of the value that comes with marriage. I think about the consistency that comes with it, and the work that comes with it as well. I firmly hold the view that it takes a lot more than feelings to make marriage work and part of a big decision that goes into marriage is who do you want to work in ministry with for the rest of your life?
I looked over at Justin in that moment, as we watch two of our friends jump out of a plane and said, "Dude. I love you, and I know that the Lord has plans for you in ministry. I'm not going to get to do ministry with you for the rest of our lives. It maybe won't be 10 years, or five years, I pray I can get another two years... but lets make sure that we spend this time enjoying laboring alongside together and appreciating it for the blessing that it is, because we may never get to do it in this capacity again."
Don't take it for granted. The place that the Lord has you in and is growing you and the people He has placed beside you. They're a blessing, one that may be for a shorter while than you anticipate. Keep it clutch.
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