Keys To Longevity #1: To Thine Own Self Be True

A couple of weeks ago I was speaking to a group of college students at Grace College. My final hour was spent talking about some of the lessons I’ve learned, and strategies I’ve implemented over the course of my youth ministry career that I believe have helped me hang around for almost 25 years. I thought I’d share them with you in a series of posts. I’ve asked my buddy, and co-contributor to this blog, Scott Rubin to write his thoughts about my tips as well as add a few of his own. So he’ll chime in from time to time as well. No silver bullets, here…just some stuff that has worked for me.

1. TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE
I once heard this saying: “God loves you, and people have a wonderful plan for your life!”
I’ve learned that just about everybody has an opinion about what’s best for me. I should “move up” to a more legitimate ministry position, I should travel and speak more, I should travel and speak less, I should leave the comfort of big church ministry to start something new and daring, I should NEVER leave big church ministry. You name it, and somebody has suggested it to me.

Most of these suggestions come from people who like me, believe in me, and want to see me succeed in ministry. But here’s the problem: I sincerely doubt any of them have spent as much time praying about my life as I have. They’re well-intentioned, but wrong. Here are three things that may help you remain true to yourself, and not give undue attention to the plans other folks might have for your life:

A) Be Secure In Your Sense of Calling. Remember, God has you where he wants you. It might be for only a year, or it might be for a decade…but he put you in your current “place” and nobody but him should convince you there is something bigger, better, more fulfilling, more rewarding or more significant elsewhere.

B) Be Confident In Your Unique Giftedness. Sometimes people assume you should be doing something different, because they would want to do something different if they were in your shoes. One of my best friends can’t grasp the fact that I’m in youth ministry, and has often urged me to move on to something else. The reason: He doesn’t really enjoy teenagers, and can’t fathom somebody our age still choosing to be around them! Not everybody is gifted for young teen ministry…but you are!

C) Be Unapologetic For Your Passions. This ties into being confident in your giftedness. Just because others aren’t passionate about junior high ministry doesn’t mean it isn’t worth being passionate about. In fact, because so few people give a rip about young teens, those of us with a passion for making a difference in this age group need to be loud and proud!

Over the years, I’ve wondered if it’s time to get out of the game. After all, what junior high kid wants to hang out with a short, bald guy who is older than their dad and tells horrible jokes? And every time I start to wonder, I ask myself if I still feel called to it, If I’m still confident that I’m gifted for it and if I’m still passionate about my calling. Twenty five years into this gig, the answer is still a resounding yes…and because of that, I’m gonna hang around a little while longer.