Called to Youth Ministry: Response

It’s a pretty fascinating concept – this thing we term ‘the call.’  We get lots of calls – with the advent of smart phones, Skype, and Google Voice – most of us truly are ‘just a call away’ from anyone who might need us at any given moment. 

But the call we receive from God for youth ministry is different.  It is a mystical, life-altering call (even if it isn’t accompanied by lasers and road-blinding moments.)  It’s a holy, life-altering moment – regardless of how you receive it… (stumbling, full-throttle, or accidental).

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The Big Day of Serving: Helping transform neighborhoods in need across America!
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Why is the call so important, though?  Why is it so ‘revered?’  Because sometimes, the call is all you have to cling to.  When relationships with colleagues break down, only the call keeps you there.  When parents are less than appreciative, only the call keeps you going.  When volunteers drop the ball and leave you holding the bag, the call saves the day.  When teenagers act like….teenagers, the call is your only reminder….

…your only reminder that this truly is bigger than your ego or expertise.  Your only reminder that people are worth it, even when they don’t act like it.  Sometimes your only reminder that God is closer than a whisper and stronger than your mountains.

I’ve spent this week remembering my call.  I didn’t stumble upon it or accidentally bump into it.  I was 13 years old – I had a Damascus road experience.  I knew God was calling me to youth ministry – and it was a lifetime call.  I embraced it and ran – as hard as I could – forward.

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The Big Day of Serving: Helping transform neighborhoods in need across America!
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And though the race hasn’t always looked like I thought it would…and there were (and are) times when I want to stop running….there’s always that nagging call.  The call to run the race to the finish – for families, for ministry, for Jesus.

So embrace your call.  Again.  For the first time.  Finally.  It may just be the Ebenezer stone you need to remind you that God is closer than you think….