He Equips the Called

Do you ever ask God, "Are you sure? Are you sure I can do this? Are you sure you've got the right one?" I am asking God that question right now....

A popular saying is, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." I remember it being a really important idea to me three summers ago when I was looking for my first teaching job and new to our church.

Now, I am amazed when I look back and see how God has used all the little things in my life for service to Him. For example, when I was in community college, one of my friends recommended I take micro-economics which I later regretted because I could have taken another English class and worked toward my major. God didn't regret that I took that class--He used it! I taught economics during my second year of teaching. Another example is cheerleading. I was a cheerleader in high school, and I am very blessed to put on a one day cheer camp and a week of practices each year for the girls at school. I am pretty much a celebrity with some of the little girls for a couple weeks :)

In addition to my ministry at school, I work with the youth at our church. It feels a little like God hit the repeat button on my life's CD player. God keeps giving me groups like this one! When I was in high school our FCA group had all but died because the school took away our right to meet during school hours. One September day during my sophomore or junior year of high school, I asked our Assistant Principal if we were going to do anything for See You At the Pole. Long story short, not only did I organize the See You At the Pole gathering, my mom and I spent hours on the phone with Alliance Defense fund, we were allowed to meet during school hours again, I was president of FCA until I graduated, and we had a good group going that lasted for another few years after I left. (All glory to God! I am just amazed He could use me that way!) Then, at community college, there was no Christian group, but I was involved in starting one, and elected president. Then, at UNI, I went to an established Campus Crusade for Christ group. I was asked by one of the leaders to consider joining the leadership team. Soon, the group shrunk drastically. I didn't realize it then, but it was over a disagreement about another leader. I joined the leadership team, and we began to rebuild. I saw some growth before I left, but I know it did grow even more after I left.

Again, I need to say the glory goes to God for using a broken vessel to do His work. I made some of the biggest mistakes of my life while in those leadership positions.

So, when Ryan and I started attending our church, I don't even remember how, but it was suggested we work with the youth group. I went to youth activities for not even a year before the youth pastor had to move on--not because he did anything wrong, he is awesome--because our church didn't have the money to pay him. A year or so after that, the couple who had been working with the youth for years decided it was time to move on. Ryan was busy with flights, and then he deployed. Now, our youth group has shrunk to just a handful of young men. We have had really great new leaders come in, but guess what? I am the one who has been around the longest...and (I hope it is okay to say this because it's not official) I am sometimes viewed as the one in charge. So, here I am leading a fourth group that needs rebuilt.

I don't really like planning events, but I've spent some time this week scheduling and delegating jobs to prepare for a youth event. I really like being the youth leader who just gets to show up and be there for the kids, but God has other plans it seems. He put me in a place which needs leadership to help it grow (again), and He has equipped me in the past and with the past.

To end, please pray for our youth group and for us leaders as we do our best to help the kids and the group grow.

I would love to hear about how God has called and equipped you!

Jordon