Yesterday I spent my day at a young adult conference called EMERGING VOICES. The topic of this conference was “Speaking Without Fear” and what a topic it was. With dudes like Jude Fouquier (@pastorjude), Mark Francey (@markfrancey), and Dustin Bates (@dustinbates) the event was so powerful because they are all men who are walking with God intimately and passionately. Saturday marked a day full of worship through praise, song, and bible study, but it also marked a day of divine calling to recognize the gifts, talents, and dreams (yes, dreams) that will be used to further grow God’s kingdom.

As I was worshiping the Lord and praying and having a conversation with Him, asking Him to reveal what the call over my life was I was reinforced with the dream of becoming a pastor. This idea has had a never ending presence in my mind since the day I first felt the pull towards preaching but somehow with all of the distractions that come and go in my life I think I lost sight of how to do ministry and what exactly it looks like. I’ve had this backward thinking that in order to do great work for the Lord I have to become a pastor who is known throughout the country and has great impact on the multitude. These are both dreams that I hope to come true, but unless it is the call for my life, I don’t want them to. I have to humble myself to the idea that maybe I will only speak to a small congregation or to a small youth group, but that that will still have an impact for the Kingdom. That brings me joy.

I have discovered and I guess realized that ministry can take place at any place on any level and with anyone. Through conversations with men of God who are full of encouragement and full of wisdom over my life this realization has come about. However, ultimately it has been the hand of God and His voice that has pointed to the areas in which I can minister even right now! In the end, unless I can lead and befriend and love the people I come in contact with on a daily basis, how will I ever pastor and teach a large group of people? Ministry isn’t just the person on the pulpit who is delivering the message, it takes the form of discipleship, of caring for the hurting, of standing bold while the whole world shakes around you, of loving even when hate and frustration are the easier option. That is what my ministry will look like.

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Now, the hard part is living out that call. It isn’t just a call to ministry, but to selfless service. On a daily basis my desire is to walk hand in hand with the Lord, only moving when He tells me, only doing what He tells me. If my life is intimately connected to the Lord through prayer, simple quiet times, studying of the bible, journaling, and a daily resurgence to take action and move in the direction of my dreams, it will bring me closer to a servant attitude and to a closer walk with Him.

I encourage you to do the same; seek out the desire that God has put on your life. Never let that desire to fulfill the destiny that God has called you to waiver. Fan the flame of hope that will lead to joy. Stand firmly on your relationship with the Lord and when trial comes keep your eyes focused on the dream and the destiny and never let go. Show the world the faith you have in a God who will never let go, even when our grip loosens.

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2 Corinthians 8:11-12. But now finish the task as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have. For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

https://youtu.be/4H9AcCXZMVs —  listen freely. be encouraged.

SM.