Don't Worry, Be Happy

When I began ministry, I got one of those small spiral books that stand by itself. They contained over a hundred different encouraging words when it comes to teaching. One of the encouraging notes said, "By learning you will teach... By teaching you will learn!"

That is so true when it comes to teaching and ministering God's Word. When there are issues that people come to me about that they are sincerely having trouble in their lives or some issue that needs to resolved through Biblical wisdom, it becomes an opportunity for me to learn once again with the person with the concern.

Late yesterday night, I saw a Facebook status from one of my youth group members that expressed a sense of worry and anxiety. This person was even getting stressed from the small things of life, which is normally what happens when we worry. So being the Youth Pastor, I shared the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. Everybody knows to turn to that passage when you are worried. Interestingly though, the professor began speaking about the passage in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and burden is light."

Then I understood that many times the source of our anxiety and worrying stem from a person who tries to bear their own burdens or their own problems. But, when we take the light yoke of Jesus, the gentle and humble master, we have true rest within our souls. Once again, I have learned by teaching. I pray that the rest that Jesus promises finds your soul today a midst all the troubles and stresses of life.

School is in Session

It's always nice to get back into the flow of things. School started last Wednesday and now I'm getting into the rhythm of school once again. Going to classes, sipping on coffee, studying in the library, and the other activities that accompany school seem like new things that I haven't done in a while. This semester is not as heavy as I had in my previous semesters, but there is a constant sense within me that pulls me from being motivated. This lack of motivation has been my biggest concern and a constant part of my prayer recently. I want everything that I learn here at Trinity to be used for His glory and ultimately so that I will be prepared to minister to the people God has charged me with. Like most mornings when I read the Psalms, today I also recognize once again that He is present within my studies just as he has been doing throughout all my life.

"Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old." Psalm 25:6

The two qualities from God that have been all too apparent in my life, His mercy and steadfast love. In those qualities will I rest.