So I have been processing a ton of things lately. One of which is how we make plans and how God can and sometimes will call us away from our plans so we can live out His plan for our lives and ministry. It is just up to us whether or not we, as youth workers, will discern what He is calling us to do and where. Where ever you are in ministry, these are things to always keep in mind when doing God’s work in ministry. Hope it is helpful.

Hold Your Plan Loosely (James 4:13-15)

Our lives are not ours.

This last weekend was my last weekend on staff here at Saddleback Church (If you missed that post, you can click HERE to read what is happening!) Now it was a part of my own plan to work here at this church in HSM for 5-6 years. In my head, I thought this would be such a great opportunity to learn from some amazing ministry minds, do some great ministry and I would buy a house here, have some kids here and plant some roots. This was my plan. God blew up that plan. I know without a doubt that me taking a position at a another church was something God had in his plan for me. Looking back at how everything went down, it is undoubtably God moving and prompting. I could have stuck to my own plan, fought it, held on tight and do my own thing and possibly miss out on the great things I know God is going to do through me in the future.

When we hold so tightly to the things that we want to do, we miss out on the things God called us to do.

If God is involved, it most likely will be uncomfortable.

Many of us want to be successful in the future if we think we are not already. The trap most of us fall into is thinking that God wants the same things we want. We start to think that God wants us to be successful just like we want to be successful. But here is the thing, God is not in the success business.God is in the refining business. God is far less excited to see you be successful, but He is constantly trying to make sure we are shaped to be more and more like Jesus everyday.

Usually when God is involved, it’s going to be uncomfortable because that is how things are refined. When things are refined, they are put under fire until it gets too hot to handle and then all of the impurities come to the surface and all the nasty stuff is revealed and then it makes the item a more pure version of itself. How do you know if God is prompting you to trust Him in His plan for you? It’s probably something that makes you a little bit uncomfortable and will take faith.

Seek God First, He Gives You What You Need (Matthew 6:25-33)

You can read the whole passage for yourself, but Jesus says when we seek Him first in our plans, God will give you and your ministry everything you NEED. Not want, but NEED.

What do you need to tweak in your life to make sure you are seeking the kingdom of God first in your plans?