How was your summer?Have you thought about that question? It's an important one for all of us who work in the field of campus ministry to sit with...
Why?
Because we are about to start a new year with students... whether we're ready or not!
My summer was not what I had anticipated... The long and short of it is that we sold our home almost nine weeks ago, and were supposed to close on the purchase of a new one on that same day... but for mold-related reasons, we did not... and have have been "on the road" ever since.
We are slated to close on the purchase of our "new" new home at the end of this month... all in all it will be 71 days on the road.
Nope, not a part of MY plan.
What was supposed to be the "summer of Guy" has been an exhausting two plus months of staying in the homes of friends who were on vacation, or traveling to stay with family...
Definitely NOT the summer I had dreamed of back in May. Oh how we cherish, and NEED, our summers as campus ministers.
Can you relate?
Do you find yourself at the onset of a new academic year feeling tired... already?!?
I was reminded on my commute to campus this morning that, regardless of whether or not I'm ready, student leadership training starts today - all other students will be moving back to campus on Saturday - and classes will begin one week from today.
No how matter how hard I might pray, I don't think there's anything I can do to put off the start of this new year.
My fear is that I might be tempted, in my tired-state, to put this year's wine into last year's old wineskins... to put a new twist on an old message... to rely on the things that have worked in the past, with past students, and reuse them with the new...
This is a danger that we must fight against! This is a new year, many of our students will be new students, and they NEED and DESERVE a fresh breath!
I'm thankful that in times of weakness (even as ministers) we have a God who says, Come to me and find rest. Come to me with your burdens. Remember, MY power is made perfect in [your] weakness.
Today, let us remember to pray for one another and the work we are collectively doing in the power of the Holy Spirit! Let us lean into Jesus for strength and perseverance in these transitional weeks of our year. May God be glorified both in us, and through us, as this new year begins!
Grace and peace
Day 3 of 40 Days of Prayer for Campus Ministry
3 comments:
Isn't it crazy that we always seem to start off tired? I personally don't get the summer off working with young adults more so than campus ministry, but I can vouch for the fact that most of our campus ministers start a little frazzled and even more so by the end of September!
So important to be sure we are attentive to our own prayer lives so we can respond as the Spirit calls!
Prayers for grace and blessings on your ministry!
Thanks so much!
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