This morning as I sit here thinking about all the things that I could write about, it seems hard to zero in on the thing that I need to focus on.  But, nevertheless, here goes nothing…

My husband Anthony and I were just given the opportunity to pastor the student ministry at our church.  We are following in the footsteps of Michael and Shelley Martin, who faithfully served in this area for over 12 years!  They did an awesome job and so it’s hard to follow that kind of faithfulness.

I have a gazillon thoughts about it, how to do, what we need to do, etc.    Thankfully, we had 3 years to serve under Michael and Shelley, in which we learned a ton.  We’ve got some big shoes to fill.  If I think long enough or hard enough about it, I feel inadequate to fill the role as a spiritual mother to young people who are trying to find their place and purpose.  Their identities are forming, and I want to have a positive influence on them.  Most importantly, I want to influence them to follow Jesus all the days of their lives and look to Him as the Author and Finisher.

Needless to say, I can feel pretty unworthy and unfit if I think about it long enough.  I ask God questions like “Are we going to be able to handle this?”, “How do I sustain my relationship with You and Anthony with all of this too?”, “Will the students even like us?”, “Are we really what they need?”, “Can we really do this, God?”, “How do we avoid burnout?”…Seriously, the questions are too numerous to list.

All the while, I have heard God speak to me.  He says things like “I’ve got exactly what you need.”, “You can do it.”, “My grace is sufficient”, “Rely on me”, “Don’t be overwhelmed”, etc…  Still, too, He pointed out to me through a word He gave to Jenn Johnson to ask Him for a bigger plate to handle the fruit in my life.  In other words, the fruit of my life in Him is expanding/growing.  I have asked and believed Him to give me a bigger plate for it all.  I acknowledge my dependence on Him.

My point in all in this post is this.  Whatever God tells you to do, whatever opportunity He brings your way, just surrender and say ‘yes’.  It’s normal to have doubts, but ultimately you have to know that He’ll give you the strength, power, grace, discipline, and ability to do it if you’ll just surrender and then rely on Him.  Each of us have our own insecurities, but we must get to a point where we get over ourselves, and surrender to His plan.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.