While some of the challenges deputation brings comes to an end, the adventure has only begun! Starting my 5th year on campus at Syracuse University, I can say that the challenge to remain in full trust mode before God is stronger today than the toughest stretch in deputation. I say this not to discourage but to point out that we never stop learning to trust and grow in our relationship with God!
During deputation, the challenges were to trust God for churches to see the need and vision for your ministry. You stressed about plans for travel, balancing ministry with family, financial needs, running vehicles and, support level.
Now the challenges are plans for travel, balancing ministry with family, financial needs, running vehicles and, support level. Added to that is the stress of the actual ministry that God called you to, the demand for reporting to your Ministry Support Team, a desperate need for taking time off and the frequent feeling that you are alone.
David felt much of this at times in his life (Ps. 142:1-4). His response found in verses 5-7 was to call on the Lord, trust Him as his refuge and lean into Him with his life. The goal of this prayer was not to make life better but that all the righteous would see God at work and rejoice with David in His answer to prayer.
Our desire as life and ministry get crazy is to do as David did, trust God as our refuge, ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5), acknowledge and fully trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). My goal is to make Him known through His work in my life and allow that, not my effort, and to glorify Him.
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