God Opened My Eyes
By Len on Jul 6, 2010 in General
The trip to CO to Group Publishing was great. Fifteen or so different youth workers were invited to discuss the Simply Youth Ministry Conference.
I shared with a few friends that being part of the group that was invited made me feel like I was the last kid chosen for an All-Star team. The interaction over youth ministry with new friends and old friends for two days was great and refreshing. The highlight and eternal moment though, happened at the very start of our time together.
We arrived in to the Group offices and we had lunch. I sat down and Rick Lawrence, editor for Group magazine, sat down next to me. I have written various things for Rick over the years but we did not meet until the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in February of this year.
We caught up for a few minutes and after sharing a bit about our journey, Rick shared that our story reminded him of the book he is writing based on Jesus’ interaction with Peter in Luke 22. Part of it says: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
As Rick shared the theme of the book it was if God opened my eyes and I said, “Rick, that is my story that your telling.”
He said something along the lines of, “Len, it is the story of a lot of us.”
Jesus did not deliver Peter out of the ordeal but he prayed for his faith to not fail and after the ordeal was over, he would be able to strenthen fellow believers.
It is no secret that we are enduring a season of stress and ordeals as we continue to work towards where God is taking us. Please begin praying that my faith will endure and then I will be able to strengthen youth workers and churches so they can reach more students for Jesus.
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