Thursday's Are Not My Best Days.

Thursday's are not my best days. For most people Thursday is on the down side, getting ready for the weekend, but for me it's a day of reflection. Thursday is to me as Monday is to a preacher. We pick apart and analyze the message given the day before. 
We wonder...
was anyone listening?
did anyone understand what we were trying to say?
did it make a difference?
did it make sense?


Unfortunately, I park there for a while. In my mind I cruise the room looking at faces to see expressions and posture. Are they engaged or do they look bored? Are they looking up the scripture or playing with the string on the pants leg? Are they looking at me or around the room at everyone else?  This list could go on and on... but I'll stop here, you get the picture. 


If the truth be known, when I step into the room on Wednesday nights, I'm studied up, prayed up and (usually) ready to deliver.  I can honestly say that when I bring a message - God and I have had many conversations about it and where He wants it to go. My prayer is always - "help me step out of the way so they can see and hear You."  So I guess the question I should ask myself on Thursday is, "Did I do what You asked me to do? Did I bring honor and glory to You?"  I so long to hear, "Well done!"


So why do I crash and burn on Thursday? 
Well, it's because I care and sometimes it hurts. 
There are students that I long to reach... but they seem so far out of reach.
There are students who have questions... but the answers don't come.
There are students who are hurting... and I can't ease their pain.
There are students who are seeking to know more... and I feel so inadequate.


A young lady in our youth program gave me a book a couple of years ago titled, Help! I'm a Frustrated Youth Worker! When she gave it to me I thought, "why do I need this?"  Well, I recently picked it up... and to my surprise (NOT!) there was much I needed to be reminded of...

1. I can't make anyone participate... they have to want to.
2. It is not about the numbers. You can have the fastest growing youth group in the city, but that doesn't mean they are growing in their walk with Christ.
3. It's not my job to judge... but I do need to hold students accountable.
4. Ministry and Missions aren't just about serving others...they're about quiet worship, taking students out of their comfort zones, and showing what "loving others" looks and feels like. 
5. Camps and Retreats aren't a vacation... they are fun experiences and adventures that grow their relationship with God and peers.
6. I can't fix anybody... but I can point them to the One who can.  

When it's all said and done, I can encourage students to have a relationship with Christ and to daily walk in His ways... but ultimately, they have to make that decision. I can't push students out of the boat, but I can teach them that when there is a tough decision to be made, to step out in the storm - that is where Jesus is. 
The ultimate decision as to who they are and who they are going to be is entirely up to them.  


Thursday's are not my best days, but on THIS Thursday what I finally understand is this...
"The Creator of the universe, the Being who is love... who constructed angels...who put the stars in the sky... who inspired the creation of every single flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream - that Being, that Creator and creating God - asked ME to be HIS servant."


That is why I do what I do. 


I'm looking forward to next Thursday!