Adam has been in youth ministry for nearly 10 years and I for 5.
In that time we have been incredibly blessed to watch God work in the lives of countless students.
We have made deep lasting relationships with many of them.
We strive to personally invest in the life of each student our ministry touches because we know that real ministry is simply about loving people through relationship.
And sometimes, sometimes, that leads to pain.
Sometimes we become so invested, so close to an individual, and then something in that individual's life shifts.
That person who we came to love and trust and find deep blessing in will just disappear from the scene.
This has happened a handful of times during our time in ministry.
And it just happened within these last few weeks.
Honestly, it breaks my heart.
Every single time.
There are cases when a student will break away from our small ministry for one reason or another, and we've learned not to take that personally.
Some people just require and desire different forms of growth.
Right now though, in this case, it feels very deep and personal.
I was not only some sort of mentor (if you want to call it that) but also a friend.
I love her.
I care about her.
I am concerned for the choices she is making in her life.
I am praying that God convicts her Himself and she will accept His only, perfect way.
I am praying that God will restore her relationship to us.
Sometimes ministry hurts because it is all about relationship.
And relationships often hurt.
But God....
But God can work through that.
God can make a way when there seems to be no way.
He is the only One who knows what her heart is searching for.
Maybe it's time He use some different tools in her life other than us.
And He will heal us and make us usable in someone else's life for His glory.
In that time we have been incredibly blessed to watch God work in the lives of countless students.
We have made deep lasting relationships with many of them.
We strive to personally invest in the life of each student our ministry touches because we know that real ministry is simply about loving people through relationship.
And sometimes, sometimes, that leads to pain.
Sometimes we become so invested, so close to an individual, and then something in that individual's life shifts.
That person who we came to love and trust and find deep blessing in will just disappear from the scene.
This has happened a handful of times during our time in ministry.
And it just happened within these last few weeks.
Honestly, it breaks my heart.
Every single time.
There are cases when a student will break away from our small ministry for one reason or another, and we've learned not to take that personally.
Some people just require and desire different forms of growth.
Right now though, in this case, it feels very deep and personal.
I was not only some sort of mentor (if you want to call it that) but also a friend.
I love her.
I care about her.
I am concerned for the choices she is making in her life.
I am praying that God convicts her Himself and she will accept His only, perfect way.
I am praying that God will restore her relationship to us.
Sometimes ministry hurts because it is all about relationship.
And relationships often hurt.
But God....
But God can work through that.
God can make a way when there seems to be no way.
He is the only One who knows what her heart is searching for.
Maybe it's time He use some different tools in her life other than us.
And He will heal us and make us usable in someone else's life for His glory.
Oh Kensie, It's so difficult to see someone you love make choices that you know will hurt them and possibly require healing and repentance later down the road. It's especially difficult when that person also seems to simply drop your friendship as if it was easy.
ReplyDeleteThis young woman must be going through something very difficult and in a very confusing time. I find it hard that anyone could reject your and Adam's friendship and love, it very well could be that she feels very convicted around you. Youth ministry I think has to be one of, if not the most hardest group of people to reach. You have a lot of different backgrounds, this is the age where you are very quickly becoming who you are as an adult and where you really are hit with some of the biggest decisions that will effect the rest of your life. I know the devil really attacks at this age (as he does every age of course) but the Youth seem especially targeted. But thankfully, God is in control and He is good.
I know a prayer that my father in law has prayed for his children is that God would let whatever happen that needs to happen for his children to come to Christ, would happen. I don't know the circumstances of course, it's really only between her and God.But I will be praying for her and that God would hold her and keep her safe and draw her back to Him. I also will be pray that God would heal and refresh your and Adam's hearts as well.
Opening your heart time and time again can be so difficult, but the reward in heaven for following God's call on our lives is beyond and joy we can imagine! I'll be praying for you all <3
For our light and momentary troubles (and pain) are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be gafted in, for God is able to gaft them in again.
Romans 11:22,23
.... But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
Romans 5:20