I've certainly learned a LOT more than just these 10 things, but these are the first things to come to mind as I sat down to reflect for a few minutes on my first decade of ministry:
You can never pray enough. I remember the first time I experienced someone in my office praying over a piece of technology. I was astounded. I had honestly never even thought about the option of praying over a computer before. Let me tell you, when you've done battle with our Konica copier, you understand the importance of prayer. And let me tell you, when a coworker gets an emergency phone call with terrible news while in the office, and your coworkers rally around and immediately lift them up, you see the power of prayer and a community coming together. God's plan/timing is better than my plan/timing. What is it in us that thinks we know better than God?! I have countless examples of this playing out, but the one that often pops into my head are the specific ways God lead me down a path to prepare me for my Global Missions Operations: providing specific women at my new staff orientation who shaped my vision for long-term sending overseas, books I randomly picked up and happened to read while raising support, and many more things. He prepared my heart for the role I had no idea how to do, which is pretty cool because I can learn the technical stuff. It's the motivation and passion that he has fueled in me, and still continues to fuel, that has made the difference. God always provides. It's a bit ridiculous how God provides. My first year starting out, while I was raising support full-time, I had a friend who was still in college give a very generous one-time gift. And the next week, they received a scholarship for which they had not even applied, for the same amount. Yep. I have dozens of stories like this -- and I know this happens even more without me knowing the details. God has provided not only financially, but relationally, physically and spiritually for me as I've lived in Minneapolis. I'm humbled and grateful. My faith (not my God) is too small. This one goes with the last one. Depending on God to provide financial support through ministry partners was never my plan. I've seen God be so faithful to me over the years, even when I am not proving very faithful myself. If I ever feel limited in what I can accomplish, or what God is doing, I think it's due to my faith being too small, not my God being too small. People in full-time ministry are messy. I mean, I'm great proof of this, so I'm not sure why I was surprised to find that I work with a bunch of broken people who don't always have it all together. People are messy - all people - and missionaries are no exception. No shortcut is worth it. My first year or two involved learning as I went. The curve was steep and I was just trying to keep my head above the water most days. But years 3-5 or so, I hit my groove, and realized I could take short-cuts that would allow me to do more. I'm not talking anything illegal or unethical here, but looking back I do regret some of my decisions. I've found that I mostly hindered my own growth and development, but I'm sure I impacted others as well. I don't have to be (and I'm not!) good at everything. Sometimes on staff with Cru I feel this little pull inside to compete with other staff. I discover a coworker is better at understanding complex formulas, or leading worship, or whatever, than I am. It can feel like you have to wear multiple hats in a non-profit (because often, you do). And that's ok, but I don't have to be the best at everything. I should try my best at everything I am tasked to do. People > Numbers. Working in an admin job is where I thrive. God has wired my brain in such a way that I am an excellent problem solver, strategic thinker and analyst. Not trying to brag -- I just know my skills and how God has gifted me! All that said, I've learned over the years that there are real people behind all these numbers I work with. The data is what it is, but it can't tell the stories of humans whose lives have been touched by God. Yes, I'm good with numbers -- but the goal is not to work with numbers, the goal is to reach people with the gospel. Working in a support role IS MINISTRY. I've done the field missions thing, both in the US and overseas. And it's great! I love sharing my faith and mentoring women and leading Bible studies. But leading out from "behind the scenes" is also ministry. In fact, it's ministry that must happen if we want any of the other ministry that is more visible to happen. Call it what you want: an admin role, a support role, "behind the scenes," even "desk work" -- but I have seen what happens when roles like this go unfilled, and how effective ministry can grind to a half. God is the same, and yet different, all over the world. I've encountered spiritual things in other countries I've never experienced before in my life. I struggle to understand these things, yet I believe that God works in these ways in other cultures. On the flip side, I've had conversations with people all over the world who are looking for hope and purpose in their life, the same as people in the US. God is the same no matter the culture- but he also works in unique ways and is expressed in different ways in every culture.
8 Comments
Denise Wellner
2/5/2019 08:55:49 pm
Love you my daughter! You are my child but also a child of God. I think the most important thing in ministry is to know that God "has your back" and you are never alone! I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, grandma M. always believed this too. I thank God that he let me be your Mom! I love you more every day! You & your faith are shining examples of what it is to be a Christian!
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Amy
2/6/2019 08:33:32 am
thanks mom :)
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Erika Lichtfuss
2/5/2019 09:19:37 pm
Hello Amy! I really appreciated this post. It's so cool to hear about what you've learned about God over the years and how He continues to reveal Himself to you. Likely going into a big period of support raising soon myself, your timely words helped me refocus on how big and in control our God is. Thank you and God bless as you continue in the kingdom work.
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Amy
2/6/2019 08:33:05 am
Thanks girl, appreciate your kind words!
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Irene Zimmermann
2/6/2019 10:06:07 am
Amy, I feel blessed to just have known you and watch you grow in
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Amy
2/7/2019 09:33:11 am
Thanks Irene. May you experience God's presence in new and great ways in 2019. Blessings!
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Bri
2/6/2019 04:17:52 pm
Girl, I didn't know you had a blog! Thanks for sharing some heart piercing truths. You are da bomb. I love your heart for Jesus and other women!
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Amy
2/7/2019 09:31:52 am
Thanks girl!
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