Through Thick and Thin
There’s a reason why I took a break in ministry. Here it is. I had to deal with wrestling some of the things that God has allowed in my life - the struggle is so real. It took months for me to fully get up on my feet. But that season of being broken by God was one of the best ones. I’ve learned about the grace and mercy of God ten times more in darkness than in the good. It helped me establish who Christ really is in me and who I am in Him. Accepting some things in your life, where God placed me was dreadful but now I begin to see a mission field - that wherever I am, whether I like it or not, trusting in God as Savior and relying on Him is the ultimate good that I can have. The rest are just secondary. It depends on us how we will be stewards.
In that season of brokenness I’ve learned to think, to thank the Lord, and to love people more as I experience His grace more. I’ve learned to lead people compassionately. In other words, I focused my ministry that is not music related. I’ve learned to prioritize my family, my disciples, my discipleship groups, my study of the Bible, and broadened my knowledge more on Calvinism and immersed my self in Tim Keller wisdom - the theology I’ve been learning were just for the sake of pride before. But now, my love for God increases as I know more about Him in an organized fashion. Those things helped me to become the person who I am now. I’ve stood up, but I’m still recovering for the loss of opportunity of the life I wanted to have. But it’s okay because I got more of Christ which is the only treasure I have in this life and in the next.
As my mentor “maybe, somehow” knew that I am again ready and capable to be at my best, he asked me if I could help take the lead for Elevate Sunday but for just one Sunday and if I could get a team composed of the “old ones”. It’s been a long time since I’ve served as a ministry head. I even doubted myself due to such a dreadful time that I’ve had. I can’t even seem to recall how to become a good leader. But yes, it’s a month long preparation for me.
And so, the story continues. I was able to get the “old school” indeed. All of us serving for more than 3 years in the ministry, the majority are already working. But, these are the best people I think the youth ministry has bred to be one of the finest in terms of service, heart, and talent.
With the fruits I’ve learned in my time of brokenness, I thank the Lord for changing me even in the way I lead the people I became family with in serving. Being music director and worship oversight for them is not an easy task. But from planning the songs, rehearsing, the arrangements, the crunchtime decisions, the shenanigans we’ve done, the time we’ve spent backstage, and of course the opportunity to lead thousands to worship. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I praise God for these guys. My heart is overwhelmed. When an opportunity strikes again if I could serve, through thick or thin, we’ll do it to please Him.