I recently returned from my third high school mission trip, and for the third year I returned home completely exhausted. But also completely fulfilled. Our students are truly amazing! As an adult, it's so exciting to see young people wrestling with owning their faith and embracing Jesus. It's one of my favorite weeks each year.
I also got to go to middle school camp this summer as a leader. I've never worked with middle school students, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I'd hoped there would be an adult female who already volunteers in that ministry who could go, but that didn't work out this year. And gosh am I glad! It was so much fun and those middle school students are amazing! They are smart and sincere and it is a gift to get to be a part of their Jesus journey. I’m so glad I didn’t miss that opportunity.
The week before I left for the high school mission trip, I found myself wrestling with the idea that I really didn’t have time to go on the trip. I mean, I was committed, so I was going to go, but what was going to be sacrificed that week I was gone? I knew I'd have to work extra hard when I got home in order to get caught up on all that didn't get done that week.
As followers of Jesus, this is the tension we will always be in. Jesus calls us to a life of sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom. The sacrifice will look different for each individual. For me this past summer, it meant our family was not able to make a trip to Colorado. For others it could mean giving up comforts and preferences. It could mean taking a year off from your Bible study to help shepherd kids in one of our student ministries or driving separately from your spouse on Sunday mornings so that you can serve in our kids hall during the service you are not attending. Serving the kingdom is often not convenient, but it is fulfilling and more importantly, it forms our life to be more like Jesus. In Mark 10:45 Jesus tells his disciples, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus’ life is the ultimate picture of service and sacrifice.
I know not everyone has the luxury of taking two weeks in the middle of the summer to go on student trips. But I do believe we all have some time, comforts and preferences that we can sacrifice to serve the Lord. Serving the kingdom draws us closer to Jesus. It refines us and makes us more like who we are created to be. And, who knows, you might just stumble upon something that is unexpectedly fulfilling.
♥️
Jolene
Interested in serving? Ben and I can help you get connected. jolene@hopecc.net or bgriffis@hopecc.net
I also got to go to middle school camp this summer as a leader. I've never worked with middle school students, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I'd hoped there would be an adult female who already volunteers in that ministry who could go, but that didn't work out this year. And gosh am I glad! It was so much fun and those middle school students are amazing! They are smart and sincere and it is a gift to get to be a part of their Jesus journey. I’m so glad I didn’t miss that opportunity.
The week before I left for the high school mission trip, I found myself wrestling with the idea that I really didn’t have time to go on the trip. I mean, I was committed, so I was going to go, but what was going to be sacrificed that week I was gone? I knew I'd have to work extra hard when I got home in order to get caught up on all that didn't get done that week.
As followers of Jesus, this is the tension we will always be in. Jesus calls us to a life of sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom. The sacrifice will look different for each individual. For me this past summer, it meant our family was not able to make a trip to Colorado. For others it could mean giving up comforts and preferences. It could mean taking a year off from your Bible study to help shepherd kids in one of our student ministries or driving separately from your spouse on Sunday mornings so that you can serve in our kids hall during the service you are not attending. Serving the kingdom is often not convenient, but it is fulfilling and more importantly, it forms our life to be more like Jesus. In Mark 10:45 Jesus tells his disciples, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus’ life is the ultimate picture of service and sacrifice.
I know not everyone has the luxury of taking two weeks in the middle of the summer to go on student trips. But I do believe we all have some time, comforts and preferences that we can sacrifice to serve the Lord. Serving the kingdom draws us closer to Jesus. It refines us and makes us more like who we are created to be. And, who knows, you might just stumble upon something that is unexpectedly fulfilling.
♥️
Jolene
Interested in serving? Ben and I can help you get connected. jolene@hopecc.net or bgriffis@hopecc.net