Salt and Light

Bring out the blogger in me. But such is my nature, it appears.

But I read something that made me very sad, and I wish I could do something about it. Perhaps I need to justify myself. But I always find that justification is only required when we don't think we are doing the right thing. So perhaps what I wish is not justification, but explanation.

Relational ministry. This has been such an important part of my life for the past 2 years. It has taken up my time, consumed my mind, and required my soul. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. Every thing I do, I try to do for the other. But there is a season for every purpose under heaven, and sometimes it is the season to depart.

Am I abandoning them? Some would say that I am. But I disagree. If I stay longer than God is calling me, am I not encouraging dependence? Am I not limiting them in their growth to holiness? She talks about detachment, and maybe she is right. But that doesn't mean I don't love them. It doesn't mean it's easy to leave. It doesn't mean they are replaceable. But it does mean that I am not my own, and where the master calls, I must follow. To ignore the calling of Christ so that I can stay and minister, what good is that? Why would you listen to a youth leader who doesn't listen to Christ? What is the point in that?

God is calling me elsewhere. I know that. And it amazes me how good He is. That in the short time of two years He can take a life headed one direction, and turn it around completely. To a path that they never dreamed possible, and are frankly a bit scared to head down, but yet they do. Putting their faith in Christ. Following the call of the master. And trusting in His goodness.

A lot has been happening, so I haven't really been posting. Finished teacher's college (yay!), taking a summer course (?? ... um, yay?) and got a job (YAY!!!) for September. Permanent, full-time, close to home, working with people I already know and like ... it's like God is saying "I love you, and not only do I love you, but I'm going to put all the cards together just so, for your happiness" It's amazing.

I have to admit, that a few weeks into teacher's college, I started thinking that I was insane. the stories you hear about how difficult it is to find teaching jobs, how teachers work for years on supply lists before they find anything permanent, and while I know the software industry has its own challenges, I almost kicked myself for passing up a golden oppurtunity at my last co-op placement. But something kept telling me, keep going, this is what I want you to do. And it's worked out.

Not in a way I ever imagined it would ... I will be a full-time religion teacher. Crazy, eh? All the more reason for my to continue to educate myself about the faith, and to continue to try to be salt and light ... this time to my students.

But at the same time ... I've had moments of complete panic: I can do math, I can do computers. I can be sure that the kids are on the right track and understand things well. But religion? I don't want this to just be another 'snooze & cruise' course: I want to take it seriously. But what if I lead them astray? Marks are one thing, souls are another. At least at LT, I had a team of other young adults and we always worked together: when I'm in my portable with my class, it'll just be me. All the more reason for my to stay on top of my prayer life ... surely this will be a boost to it, if nothing else.

Still, I am comforted to know that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)