Well, apparently Brent (one of my teens at the church) declared that last week was "post a blog about Brent week" and I missed it. No, that's not quite true, I was sort of ignoring it. (Sorry, bro, but it's true....)

But tonight I read his blog and realized that I am very impressed with this young man of God. Three weeks ago he heard God tell him to start a meeting of the church in his high school. He talked to his counsellor about it right away and got permission to do it. Then the schools when on strike for a couple of weeks, but they were back in yesterday and this group had their first meeting at lunch time today. Here is a young man who heard the call of God, responded, was not deterred by a delay and pressed on. That immediacy of obedience reminds me of Elisha....

Which also reminds me that this son of the King walks in His spiritual gifts: prophecy, leadership, and others. He prays for the sick and worships with abandon. I'm almost hoping he doesn't read this so that his humility is not damaged or endangered in any way. All these things he is only through the grace of an almighty God who sees fit to use whomever He chooses to use. Brent simply said 'yes.'

What do you have to learn from a 16-year-old man of God?

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

'So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah.
"Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.' (1 Kings 19:19-21)




40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Chapter Thirty-Two: Using What God Gave You

Main idea: Discover what God wants from your life and offer this as service to Him to the best of your abilities.
Most impactful verse: “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. (Ephesians 5:17 LB)” and “Try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities. (Romans 12”3b Ph)”
Most impactful concept: (1) Volunteer while you are figuring out what your are shaped for in ministry, and be ready to accept that you’re not suited for that particular role, and (2) We’re getting ready for eternal responsibilities and rewards - we should work at developing the skills we are using for ministry.
Other thoughts: Experimenting in different ministries until you find the one that God gifted you for is tough. It is a good concept, and I like it, but it requires a teachable spirit - one that is able to hear, “I don’t think this is a good fit for you.” It also requires boldness in pastors and leaders. Boldness to be able, in love, to say to someone, “I don’t think this is a good fit for you.” (That’s hard for pastors! I hate trying to gently tell someone they actually can’t carry a tune in a bucket, especially if they think they’re Whitney Houston!) If you choose to experiment to find out how God wired you for service within the church, be ready to humbly accept that a certain ministry may not be for you, and with enthusiasm move on to the next option you want to try. If you’re from our New Westminster congregation, remember our recent drama presentation - NO ONE would want “Ron” continuing in hospital ministry! We’ve have to build more hospitals! I wonder where “Ron” will end up serving in ministry?