"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last-- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." John 15:16
Last Saturday, the Inland NW area hosted a student leadership day. We gathered student leaders from Gonzaga University, Washington State University, and Whitman College to give them a vision for how God might use leadership in their own lives and how He might use it to transform the lives of others back on campus. As I prayed for the day (and continue to pray for the student leaders), this verse from John keeps running through my head. God calls up to bear fruit that will last.
I find it tempting to do things in ministry that might look good on the outside but not produce long-lasting results. Honestly, I am tempted by these things to satisfy my own internal desire to be successful. I want to know that what I do day to day matters. I want to know that I'm making a difference.
As I've stepped into being area director, God has been consistently pointing me to invest in the things within the ministry that produces long-lasting fruit. He points me to solutions instead of quick fixes. He shows me the big picture instead of snapshots of success. I'm thankful for the clarity. I also struggle with the timeline. I wonder, "Why does this take so long God?" And God points me back to "bear fruit that will last."
Will you join me in praying that the Inland NW will be an area that bears fruit that will last?
This week I'm praying for the funding in our area. My staff work diligently to invite and partner with individuals and churches across the area. I'm thankful for their faithfulness and the generosity of so many. I also realize that our area still needs $46,500 for all staff to be fully funded. Being fully funded means staff being paid at 100% of their appropriate salary range and having expense money to host student events. Staff often function at 80-90% of their funding, which translates to receiving a lower paycheck and buying supplies out of pocket for student events. This short-term fix can leave staff feeling unsupported and questioning the value of their work on campus. I feel that part of bearing fruit that lasts is having an area staff team that feels supported, valued and is focused on campus. If you are praying with me this week, would you comment below and let me know? I appreciate your partnership in the gospel.
