In a world of instant gratification, it seems it has become more and more difficult to be patient with things. When we get new jobs, we face the pressure of showing immediate success or else we may be replaced by someone else. We have high speed internet, fast food, and essentially everything else that allows us to satisfy our desires immediately. If we don't get it immediately, then we move on to a more efficient source for what we want.
If we take on this mentality with our student ministry, we are setting ourselves up for disaster. I want so badly with all of my heart for our students to be completely amazed by Jesus and I want it to happen today. However, the sobering reality is that I probably won't give one message and have our entire group radically change their lives. Instead, I am going to have to labor over the Gospel. I may walk with these students years and still not see the fruit. Yet, I must keep laboring. I must keep praying relentlessly for our students. I must keep teaching the word over and over until one day it clicks. They might face challenges in their adult life before they recall something they heard from long ago and trust in Christ. Even if we don't get immediate fruit, it does not mean that fruit isn't coming. I encourage you to labor with me to the end. Never stop pleading with the Lord to save the lost. Never stop telling them about your God, even if they don't even seem to be paying attention anymore. God honors those who are faithful and your labor will not be in vain. I hope that every single student would have the hope of Christ. Some know Him, some do not yet. But we must keep teaching, encouraging, praying, and laboring so that no matter what happens in their life they cannot deny that they have been told about their Savior who died on the cross for them.
If we take on this mentality with our student ministry, we are setting ourselves up for disaster. I want so badly with all of my heart for our students to be completely amazed by Jesus and I want it to happen today. However, the sobering reality is that I probably won't give one message and have our entire group radically change their lives. Instead, I am going to have to labor over the Gospel. I may walk with these students years and still not see the fruit. Yet, I must keep laboring. I must keep praying relentlessly for our students. I must keep teaching the word over and over until one day it clicks. They might face challenges in their adult life before they recall something they heard from long ago and trust in Christ. Even if we don't get immediate fruit, it does not mean that fruit isn't coming. I encourage you to labor with me to the end. Never stop pleading with the Lord to save the lost. Never stop telling them about your God, even if they don't even seem to be paying attention anymore. God honors those who are faithful and your labor will not be in vain. I hope that every single student would have the hope of Christ. Some know Him, some do not yet. But we must keep teaching, encouraging, praying, and laboring so that no matter what happens in their life they cannot deny that they have been told about their Savior who died on the cross for them.