Last week, I posted the first in a series of blogs entitled "The Long View of Girls' Ministry." It was based on 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."
The first principle was: Keep a clear head.
The second principle is this: Endure hardship.
I love the way The Message paraphrases these words: "Accept the hard times along with the good."
Long-term girls' ministry will have its share of the hard times. Freshmen girls who would rather be texting each other than listening to you. The great juggling act between ministry and family and work (that can sometimes feel like juggling knives). Dry spells in your spiritual walk that leave you feeling deserted and alone. Watching girls make poor decisions and suffer the consequences.
In long-term, effective ministry, there's no easy way out. We choose to follow Paul's advice: endure. Notice that the verse doesn't say "deny your struggle" or "put on a good face and say everthing is OK." Paul said endure. By all means, cry when you're hurting. Own your frustration. Claim your anger. Name your discouragement. But in the end, don't give in. Don't give up. Keep going. Fight the good fight. Endure.
Enduring...depending on your tone it can sound positive or negative. What a good word to think about--just talking with a friend this morning about how there seems to be a divide around 8th grade and then another about 11th grade. It seems like girls make choices around these ages that either keep them walking with God or not. Praying we will be the examples to these girls--women who endure through the good and the bad of life. And in the end, these girls see that we endured, trusting God...and it made all the difference.
I'm loving this series (and your blog!) I taught a girls' Bible study in the fall, and will be teaching Sunday School in the upcoming church year. It certainly comes with a special set of challenges. But what a blessing it is.
May the Lord bless you in your ministry.
Thanks so much for your comments and encouragment!