So, thinking onward, I want more and more to get out of retail work altogether. I enjoy what I am doing, and am in a good job with a good company, but my desire and longing is not for retail. There is just so much in retail that is all about things..."how can we maximize sales?", "how can we make better margins?", "how can we build our business?", etc. it mainly boils down to how can we get more money for the company? Money, while it would be nice to have in large amounts, is not the main goal of my life (in spite of previous posts). My life's desire is to know God intimately and to teach others to do the same. Am I there? I think it safe to say that by any stretch for the imagination the answer is a resounding "NO" but it is still my desire, and being in retail I am having a hard time accomplishing either my own goal of knowing God more intimately, and also my further goal of teaching others to do so. So, I find my self more and more wanting to get out of retail altogether. I really want to be in ministry and fulfilling the calling that God has on my life.
That being said, I was reading about a new book for youth ministry the other day. Those of you who do know me know that I have a passion for youth ministry, and for those of you who do not know me, well, I have a passion for youth ministry. The book was written by Steve Wright and it is called ApParent Priviledge. This book is a follow up to Steve Wright's book reThink which challenges pastors and student ministers to rethink the approach to youth ministry. This book is critical in that it deals with the parental aspect of youth ministry. I truly believe that in order for a youth ministry to really live and grow, you need the support of parents, not just as volunteers and leaders, but as home bases reinforcing the things you talk about at church. So many youth I have seen that are shallow in their faith because their parents have never taken time to talk to them about it. It is one thing to see that from a family that is unchurched or unsaved, but quite another to see that from a family whose heads (mom & dad) are plugged into the main church. It's like the parents have simply left the kids to float and "find their own way" as it were. This is just not right. Now I have also seen kids whose parents take and active role in developing their kids' walk with God and have seen what kind of exceptional results occur in such and instance. So, anyway, In his new book ApParent Priviledge Steve Wright conducted a study across the country involving hundreds of teenagers. They were asked to fill in the blank in the following phrase "I wish my parents _______". So, here are the top responses (keep in mind these come from teenagers):
- would take my Christianity seriously.
- would pray with me every night.
- would start family devotions.
- read the Bible with me more.
- helped me understand the Bible.
- would stay faithful to each other and God.
- would spend time together.
- would relate problems in life to Christian stories.
- would read the Bible with me more and pray with me more.
- did more things with the family.
- would stay the same forever.
Surprising? I think it should not be so surprising. God created us for growth and created the family as a way to care for us as we grow. We need families and we need to foster our kids to grow in God. Look at their top responses, these teens are literally begging for their parents to take and active role in their growth as a Christian. They want authenticity in the professed faith their parents say they have, and they want their parents to be the spiritual leaders that God designed them to be. So, as I said, I want to be able to help families grow in their collective walks and help kids and teens become all that they are created to be in Christ. Too often the church (and by extension parents) think of youth as "future" church members, rather than the active members they are in the Body of Christ.
So anyway, I was just thinking today about how much I would like to be in the calling that God has designed me for and out of retail. As I said, God has blessed me with a good job in a good company, and is providing for us and meeting our needs. Just join with me in prayer that He would open doors into ministry that would allow me and Jessie to move into what our calling is so that we can see that fulfilled. thanks all and I'll TTYL,
In Christ Alone,
Thomas
1 comment:
honey, i love you so much! you are an awesome worker and provider for our family. thank you for doing whatever it takes for us. i can't wait for the day when we can be in position to affect the lives of kids each and everyday!!
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