by Nancy Hamilton

School is back in session. Youth ministry events and ministry dates are on the church calendar by now.  You are ready for the great things God has for you and your students. God has called you to minister to students who show up at your church each week, but do you truly delight in the work God has given you with youth? Do little things pop up and rob you of the job of serving him and serving his young people?

Psalm 37 tells us, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Nothing affects our personal lives . . . and our ministry like our desires. A true heart desire is unaffected by your mood or your surroundings. It is what you long for and are willing to wait for.

What personal things do you desire for this new school year as a follower of Christ? How about for your student ministry?

The reason many of us lose our heart’s desires for ourselves and our ministry is that we allow things to rob us of our “delights.” Beware of these delight-robbers:

• Jealousy–Perhaps you are seeing things you don’t have rather than the things you do. If God placed you in a larger church, you might be able to touch more students. But, allow the faces of your students to penetrate your heart. They need you. Your gifts. Your abilities. Your God-centered love. Don’t be jealous of what God has given to others in their ministry. Treasure what he has given you.

• Anger–Are there unresolved issues deep in your heart that have lingered for a bit too long? Is there someone in your circle who can help you be accountable for those things that are seeded in past hurt or disappointment that have grown into suppressed anger toward a person? Ministry? Church? Learn the joy of forgiveness. Release your anger and allow God to replace it with love.

• Worry–Nothing will do you in like worry. I once heard a well-known pastor say, “When we worry, we take God’s place.” When we worry about things of which we have no control, we are vying for God’s place of authority. Let me encourage you–God has the comings and goings of the entire world, it’s needs, your student ministry, your family, and you–all in the palm of His hand. He’s doing just fine and probably doesn’t need our help.

When you delight in God and his desires for you, those desires will transform into things that are inevitable:  a heart to know Him deeper, a passion to see students share Christ on their campus, and an opportunity to see students serve their families and peers. Take some concentrated time this new school year to pray your guts out to God. Cry out to Him. Beg for His mercy. Long for His direction and blessing. You never make a petition to God that He does not hear. Do good, be patient, and trust God to act in His timing. The work you are doing will not be forgotten by Him or your students.

Nancy Hamilton serves as the Minister to Women and Girls at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.