Serve with Gladness

A part of my responsibility as a Generation Link staffer is serving with the student ministry of Crosspoint Church.  I am now in my second year as a G-linker, and it is rewarding to look back on the past year and a half working with these teenagers.  However, I did not always have this perspective.  When I applied for Generation Link, I communicated my preference to work in several roles but student ministry was not at the top of the list.  Don’t get me wrong, I love teenagers and am very grateful for the time I have been able to spend with them.  Initially though, I must confess, I did not appreciate the role I had been given.  I desired a role that would send me on the fast track towards becoming a pastor.  However, God began to work in me and correct my selfish thinking. Generation Link, and the Christian life for that matter, is about serving God through the local church.  I was approaching it from the standpoint of “how does this benefit me?”  Thankfully God showed me the sin of my heart and allowed me to enter my time with Generation Link with a heart of gladness for the ministry opportunities He had given.

For lack of a better phrase, whatever cards God has dealt you….how are you responding?  Are you struggling with bitterness and resentment because your hopes and dreams are not playing out as desired?  Don’t fall victim to the same lie as me.  Wherever you are, whatever role you are in… disciple making is your calling and command.  Pray and fight for a heart of willingness to serve your God and your church through whatever means are presented.  I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am to have worked with these teenagers during my time on staff with Generation Link and I truly would not trade this experience for anything.  Trust in God’s promise that He is “working all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.” (Paraphrase of Romans 8:28)

Written by Will Jackson.