Pointing to the Answer

It's a common lament among ministers that we feel so inadequate for the task at hand. One fellow minister recently wrote on his blog that, in spite of having plenty of theological answers, he didn't feel equipped to help the kids in his youth group with the difficult trials they were experiencing. They have practical problems that are not easily solved by a sermon on some point of theology. Bible college and seminary can prepare you to interpret scripture but it doesn't always feel like you're prepared for the actual pain and crises you encounter in ministry.

Knowing exactly how that feels, I decided to write him a note of encouragement. I hope this reaches everyone who is in ministry and needs a shot in the arm.

Take cheer, you may be more prepared than you realize. All of those questions Ozark prepared you to answer include "why do bad things happen" and "what did God ever do about it." Perhaps the two most important and relevant questions ever asked. I know that seems a bit esoteric but you have answers in a world of confusion and that makes you an anchor to those kids.

I've been in ministry in for 13 years and I know how hopeless some people's situations can be. But we have to realize that we're not there to fix their problems; there's only One who can fix their problems. Our job is to keep pointing those kids to Him. You'll have no idea until later how effective that actually was.

You're already doing the most important thing you can. Those kids see you and have hope. Hope that there there are answers in this world. Hope that they can be loved unconditionally. Hope that a life of purpose with stability, love, and fulfillment exists in this world. Hope that there is a life other than one bound up in sin. You and your wife may represent the only example of these things that some of these kids will see and that will have a profound impact on them.

Just trust that it can. Trust that He can.