I really identify with guest blogger Dr. Deb Douglas’ perspective of ministry being a constant re-learning process…one I often want to slow down! Perhaps you are in a season of huge learning curves. If so, this blog post will truly bless you today!
Being a grandmother has been like relearning life. I see everything through the eyes of my sweet little Caroline now. Here’s today’s lesson:
Caroline learned having help makes life more fun. Before today, walking to make her fire truck go was a great achievement. She would smile that smile that says, “I’m really something, aren’t I?” Today everything changed; her Daddy pushed her at high speeds throughout the house as she threw her head back and giggled. Walking and pushing the truck on her own will never be quite as fun. Daddy made everything better.
Doing life on our own is like Caroline before today. We think we’re doing fine, managing everything, getting by. But we’re living without experiencing the thrill of a full throttle life. Living without hanging on with both hands as we take a wild ride, giggling with delight at the turns we take. Squealing with joy as we take fast turns and twists.
Life gets fun when we ride with our Father. We get on board with things we’d never try on our own. Life gets faster and there may be some unexpected bumps along the way, but the thrills and giggles are worth it!
In the past 2 years, God has taken me on a wild ride into new areas of ministry. There have been times when I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut as I followed into unknown areas, and times I have wanted to run and hide. There have been some hard days. But there have been moments of great joy as I have seen God use the wild ride to transform the lives of others. I have been in amazement that I get to sit in the front car of this ride and see the intricate nature of God’s plan.
Ministry is a constant relearning of life. God’s plan is ever moving forward, meeting the changing needs of women. What I have known in the past may not be good enough today. What I knew as acceptable may not work tomorrow. I have to make a choice. Am I going to safely go at my own pace, in my own way, with my own likes, knowledge, and preferences influencing me? Or am I going on God’s wild ride with squeals of delight? I think I’ll relearn life and go for the wild ride!
How to Relearn Life:
- Retreat-spend time seeking God’s guidance for the future.
- Search- search out what new things others are doing to reach women.
- Listen- take time to listen to the hearts of women.
- Ask- enlist prayer warriors to pray for you as lead.
- Be brave! Step out in faith and try something new!
- Squeal with delight- enjoy the ride with the Father!
Dr. Deb Douglas, is the Minister to Women, First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA as well as Minister of Hope (a cancer ministry) and serves as one of our Lifeway Ministry Multipliers. Deb launched her first women’s Bible study at the age of 20. Her passion is encouraging and equipping women to serve. She is the Minister to Women at FBC Bossier City and a conference/retreat speaker, strategic planning consultant, freelance writer and contributed to Transformed Lives: Taking Women’s Ministry to the Next Level. Deb graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education/Women’s Ministry and a Doctor of Education in Ministry degree from NOBTS. She is the wife of Paul, mom of Jared and Katie, mother-in-law to Emily and grandmother to Caroline.
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