I want to be one of those women who still works with girls when she has grandchildren. I want to laugh with them, invest in them, make cookies with them, hang out with them at Starbuck's (or whatever the cool place will be in 20 years), and do life with them. I want to be there through the worst and best life has to offer them, pointing them to Jesus at every point along the way.
If this future grandmother (that's a weird thought, since my daughter hasn't celebrated her 4th birthday yet) plans to be involved in girls' ministry beyond today, I need to:
1. Keep a clear head—not becoming distracted by other voices and callings.
2. Be willing to endure hardship—accepting the bad times along with the good.
3. Keep the Message of Truth alive—Christ must remain central in everything I do.
The long view of girls' ministry requires one more element, and it's found in 2 Timothy 4:5:
"But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."--2 Timothy 4:5
Fulfill your ministry?
When I looked at different translations to get a handle on what Paul meant by this phrase, I didn't get much help. The NIV says, "discharge all the duties of your ministry." Huh? The NCV: "complete all the duties of a servant of God." Still foggy. KJV: "make full proof of thy ministry." Completely confused. NRSV says, "carry out your ministry fully." Well, that helps a little...but not much.
I decided to read on. Verse 7 cleared everything up:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
When it's all said and done, I need to leave nothing left unsaid and nothing left undone.
It requires me to choose whose side I'm on and fight for it. And choosing to fight for girls involves sacrifice—a sacrifice of time, money, my own plans, or even my ego. Fighting the good fight means late-night phone calls and runs to the hospital. It means getting out of my comfort zone and learning new technology. It means being willing to try new things—new food, new music, new cultures.
It requires me to finish this race—never giving up on myself (seriously, can I really do this?), on God (are you sure you're asking this of me?), or the girls I serve (will they ever learn?).
It requires me to keep the faith—to stay the course with honesty, transparency, and authenticity. It requires me to engage my heart and my life.
For me, there's no better or higher calling.
In thinking about ministry to girls for the long-term, what is most challenging to you?
Perhaps it is because I just saw a group of young ladies graduate this weekend that I have journeyed with since they were 8th graders...but I think it's challenging and rewarding to be involved in a constant cycle that starts in 6th grade and goes til 12th. You often times don't get time to celebrate accomplishments before a new group of students, events, and circumstances arrive on your doorstep. It always seems like rush rush rush...then a couple of kodak moment pauses...and then they move on. It's awesome to have this legacy of stories and still be the one they come home to at holidays and hear them say they are getting married or buying a home or graduating from college...but I do think sometimes the cycle can seem intimidating and sometimes tiring to gear up again to another year. BUT I always am glad I did and I'm thankful for my small sprint in their lives. Now I pass the baton on to the next woman God is bringing alongside of them. Thanks for posting Pam.
Right now, I am concerned with balancing girls' ministry with my family, home, and career. I have led a girls' Bible study in the past & will be teaching Sunday School this upcoming year. I love these girls, and want to pour myself into them...but I realize I can only do so much.
I agree with Amy-Jo's comment, too. I don't want to just forget these girls once they're gone from my class. I want to leave a good deposit & be invested in their lives.
I struggle like you do, Melissa. I have a three-year-old at home and am married to a teacher and a coach...which has its own challenges. I always feel like I'm trying to keep all the plates spinning at the same time. It forces me to continually evaluate what I do and why I do it...the motives behind my actions, what is REALLY necessary (and what's not), and who could do something better than I can.