Investment Trends in the Face of Instability

‘It wasn’t supposed to be like this!’

How many times have you said something like that over the past 22 months?

Last week our Next Gen team chose to make the difficult decision to postpone Elements – our retreat investing in youth pastors and youth leaders in our ABNWT District – these same youth pastors and leaders who have the privilege and responsibility of caring for and mentoring thousands of teenagers in our province. We were hoping we could make it happen but ultimately decided that postponing was the right decision for this time. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

To say we’re disappointed would be an understatement.

So many things in life and ministry are beyond our control and this COVID-19 season has reminded us of that in spades.

It would be easy to dwell on all the things we can’t control (pandemics, weather, government regulations, the fate of our favourite hockey teams) while we wait for a semblance of stability. But spending mental energy on things we can’t control is a sure way to discourage or even worse. Too many pastors and leaders have been taken down or taken out by focusing on issues that are beyond their control. I know I have.

In this season of waiting, we have the opportunity to use our time and energy toward better pursuits. We can shift perspective and invest in the things we can control. 

Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Invest in Growth

   Take some time to sharpen your self-awareness. What are the day-to-day activities that light you up? How about ones that deplete you? How can you maximize the former and minimize the latter? 

   Look back. How have you grown in your understanding of God’s call? How have you grown in your understanding of your gifts and abilities? Take account and it will help you gain clarity on whom you’re becoming. 

   Sharpen strengths, mitigate weaknesses, and never stop growing. Read another book.

   You have no idea how long this season will be or where you’ll end up on the other side; it’s beyond your control. But you can ensure that you’re wiser and better and intentionally prepared for whatever is next.
   

2. Invest in your relationship with Christ

   While you might think this is a no-brainer and doesn’t need to be mentioned, nothing is more important. And, as ministers, this is something that can easily become stagnant. 

   Try a new angle at connecting with God. I’m not sure if it was in my dreams or if I was awake when I should’ve been sleeping, but last night I was spurred on to a new posture in prayer – to literally get on my knees every day. See, in my couch prayer times, I am easily lulled by comfort and distraction. This shift in physical posture will help me shift my mind and focus on spending time with the LORD. What shift do you need to make? Taking a prayer walk? Changing the place where you read scripture? Maybe fasting (the discipline most of us love to ignore)? Or scripture memorization (another discipline we love to ignore – ‘I did that when I was a kid’)?

   You have no idea how long this season will be or where you’ll end up on the other side; it’s beyond your control. But you can ensure that you’re more attentive to God’s voice, attuned to the Spirit, and in love with Jesus.
   

3. Invest in sharpening relationships

   It’s easy to write this off with our reduced contacts and distancing. But take the time to intentionally invest in relationships that will make you more like the person God intends you to be. Find a mentor and be a mentor. Join a cohort with peers that will stand with you. Be extravagantly generous with your words of encouragement. 

   You have no idea how long this season will be or where you’ll end up on the other side; it’s beyond your control. But you can surround yourself with people that will sharpen you and spur you forward.
   

4. Invest in Hope

   Because of Christ, we have HOPE, no matter what chaos or instability surrounds us. Remind yourself who’s in charge.

   I’m not saying to ignore all the challenges around us. They’re real. I’m not trying to minimize them. But lead with optimism. Lead with faith. Lead with hope. God is faithful. 

   Israel’s (and all of mankind, really) greatest follies were when they took their eyes off of God and focused on the problem at hand. Fix your eyes on Christ and allow your problems to melt into proper perspective.

   You have no idea how long this season will be or where you’ll end up on the other side; it’s beyond your control. But you can shift your mindset to focus on God’s faithfulness. Allow faith, hope, and gratitude to transform your outlook.
   

These are four pursuits that are challenging me in this season. How about you? What are you doing in this season to ensure you come out the other side a better person? A better leader? A better follower of Christ?

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