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Trust God's promotion when you don't trust yourself.

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A Message from Anointed Messenger 

 

Following is a modified form of the farewell devotion I wrote for the children's ministry where I served as ministry leader when God called me to leave. I pray that you will find in it a word that applies to your life today.

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Many of you may not know how I came to be Ministry Leader for [Kids' Church]. To go back a little bit I was living in Chicago where I was born and raised, happy with my little church when God called me to Houston, Texas. He confirmed that call repeatedly until I finally packed up, left everything behind and moved to Houston. I'd been watching the Pastor on TV and I knew this church was where I was supposed to be. I've always worked with children and I began in the children's ministry not long after my arrival. I decided to serve Wednesday nights, as I didn't know anyone in Texas so I attended both weekend services. I kept hearing that a new ministry was coming in August; a new Wednesday night program intended to disciple children in small groups. As a Wednesday night volunteer I was drafted into the program. When I started the children's ministry in early 2006 they'd just lost most of their teachers so I soon became a leader by default. By the time August rolled around I was drafted as the 2nd grade Team Leader for the brand new ministry.

 

It was an exciting new program and I enjoyed my small group of girls; but it was a big difference from the previous program. Previously I led praise and worship, created characters, put on skits, and everything else. Now I was responsible for just a few second grade girls and a few basically independent teachers. It seemed like a demotion in many ways. Even in my Chicago church I created and performed sermonettes for the children and taught Sunday school. To make matters worse I often had an abnormally small group of girls over the years I taught in the new discipleship program. When everyone else had 10 girls, I often had 3. True I had children with special needs, and an abnormally high number of girls who didn't live with their mother. I felt God was providing them with intimacy they needed, and the children were always expressing love and adoration, but I still often felt like a failure as a teacher. I also struggled as a team leader. I experienced various communication and attendance problems with my teachers.

 

What I didn't realize at the time was that God had me in training for Ministry Leader. All the problems I experienced were preparation. When I became Assistant Ministry Leader I was actually trying to quit. I approached the service leader about my feelings of inadequacy only to learn she wanted me to take the position of Assistant Ministry Leader. I reluctantly agreed, with a promise from the current ministry leader that she planned to be there at least a year. To my surprise within about a month of my accepting the position the ministry leader announced she was leaving and she had peace about it. What?!! Once again I'd been drafted. Initially I struggled. I missed my children and I felt tricked. Yet once I embraced the promotion I found that I enjoyed it. Previously I'd been a little shy and didn't know most of the volunteers. Forced to get to know everyone I discovered I loved them! God had blessed me with a great team! And I still got to enjoy the children. I went from 3 children to 300 overnight. Many of the things that I perceived as weaknesses became strengths (like acting silly with the children J).

 

God's Beloved I encourage you to trust God's promotion; regardless of how it comes to you. You may see your limitations but God sees your potential. God has called me once again, and I will be leaving this church and ministry to be part of a small Spirit-filled church. It may not make sense to the natural mind, and leaving the big church for a small church may seem like a demotion, but I know it's a promotion. I also know that many of you will be promoted as a result. God may call you out of your comfort zone to do things you never thought you'd do. God may ask you to take up some things you laid aside for a season. I pray you won't question His choices or callings but obediently respond. Remember there are seasons of preparation between promotions. You can trust God. He created you and predestined you to do great things (Ephesians 2:10). Before you were even born He prepared things for you to do. You may get discouraged by the immediate: "Am I in over my head? Is what I'm doing working right now? Am I adding to the ministry? Are my gifts being used?", but God thinks long term. Everything He does in your life is designed to promote you; taking you from glory to glory.

 

Some of you will be drafted into positions you didn't anticipate, but you will excel. We are all part of God's universal church, and I will continue to love you and pray for you. Trust God's promotion and let Him take you places that you never ever dreamed of!

"Promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God."

Psalm 75:6 The Living Bible

 

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

 

Yes (Shekinah Glory) *With Lyrics*
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Oct 26, 2006

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About
Anointed Messenger
 
Anointed Messenger is an ordained minister, Nationally Certified Counselor, Stress Management Specialist, and published author. AM left behind home, job, and friends & family and moved to Houston Texas in 2005 at the calling of the Lord. AM is married to Jesus Christ.
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