You Might Be Dreaming The Wrong Thing


When it comes to running there is at least one thing that I dream about, qualifying for Boston.  I’m not sure how likely it is that I will one day qualify but one thing that I’ve found is that I need to be careful that I don’t obsess over this drea or it might prevent me from focusing on what’s important… my running. 
Getting ready for Boston takes a lot of training, a little extra money and the right resources.  I find myself obsessing over the thought “If I only had X then I would be able to qualify for Boston.”   But maybe that goal isn’t meant for me, and if that’s the case, then why am I worrying about time and money I don’t need?
When it comes to student ministry there is at least one thing that I dream about:
A larger facility designated soley to the student ministry.  Again, not sure if that is likely, but one thing that I’ve found is that if I obsess about it too muich it prevents me from focusing on what’s important…my ministry.
How does that happen?  I get jealous of other ministries that have large facilities and I tell myself 

  • “If only people gave more.”  
  • “If only there weren’t so many building restrictions from my denomination (Roman Catholic), county and state.”
  • “If only people in the church cared more about youth ministry.”

There can be a lot of “If Onlys” in our lives, but all they do is prevent us from seeing the true path that God has set out for us.  A larger facility might not be in God’s plan for me, He might intend for me to always share space with the Children’s ministry, what I need to do is embrace the situation I am in and ask God, “How can I best utilize the space that you have given me.”
I’m not saying we shouldn’t dream, I’m saying we need to spend time in our prayer life asking God to show us what He wants us to do with what we already have.  To do that we must embrace what God has given us and be proud that He trusts us with it.  But in order to embrace we must know our limits.
What are the limits your ministry faces that could really be a blessing?
And how do you plan on embracing them?

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