A New Chapter

I have been completely blown away by what God is doing lately. More than anything I am learning that He will always do more than I expect and do it in ways I wasn't expecting. There is a lot I want to talk about, but for today I'm just going to talk about one thing.

I was incredibly blessed yesterday to be ordained in the Gospel ministry at my church, and to have many of my best friends and my family there. Pastor Dane and FCC have prepared me for ministry in infinitely more ways than I could have ever imagined. When I first started there in August 2007, I wouldn't have told you I'd still be there today. Yet, three and a half years later, God still has me there, and I am eternally grateful.

A good friend asked me if that day made me feel any different or view ministry in a different light. I had to think about it, and it was hard to put into words. Therefore, I write this post.

In practice, not much is different after being ordained. I was already called to ministry before yesterday. I had already decided that my life would be all about the Gospel. What happened yesterday was a more of an awakening.

I knew the seriousness of the ministry I was called to. I knew that it meant dedicating my entire life to His purpose. But I believe this service truly inspired me to make my entire life look like the Gospel. I am beginning to recognize that God has set me apart for the name of His Son Jesus Christ. I recognize my responsibility to others to present the Gospel and the truths of the Bible clearly and effectively.

What example can I set for my friends? How can I guide them in their walks with Christ? In what ways do I need to pray for someone? What can I do to help bring my church closer to God through our worship services? These are all things more prevalent on my mind. I don't know if anything miraculous happened yesterday, although I believe what Pastor Dane said when talking about the anointing of David: "It is the Spirit of God that prepared and empowered David to be king and it is the same Spirit of God that empowers ministers of the gospel today."

As unworthy as I feel to be set apart for this calling, I embrace it. There is no other way I would want to live my life. I have tried to live it for myself and I am always terribly disappointed. I pray that His Spirit would be on me continually that I might make my life look like the Gospel.

Yesterday's service was a humbling experience, but an empowering one. I know that I have a God who will sustain me. I know I have brothers and sisters in Christ who I can lean on in hard times. Whatever I face in the coming days and years, I have dedicated everything to the name of Jesus Christ.