The Call Before The Calling

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” These are famous words from Jesus, as He called Simon and Andrew from their lives as fishermen and into the calling of disciples.

As a youth worker, it is easy to get caught up in the church busy, following events, schedules, programs, and the next thing. In those great and mighty things, we must not forget our first love: our first calling.

Before God Called You To Be A Youth Pastor, He First Called You To Follow Him

I’ve told myself this phrase for years. Before God called me to serve students as a youth pastor, He called me first to follow Him. I must never forget that. It’s easy to get those flipped in the wrong places. Following Jesus has looked different in my life over the years. When I was single, married, working full time, in seminary, a new dad, a growing family, moving, going through hardship, busy, etc. As my seasons have changed, my time with the Lord has changed. Some for better and some for worse.

Yet, the truth always remains the same. My first and primary calling in this life, before anything else, is to follow Jesus. My surrender to ministry came after my surrender to the Lordship of Jesus in my life. I want to surrender and live obediently well. I want to care about that the most. The temptation is always trying to creep in that I would rather be more faithful in my ministry calling than I am in my following of Jesus. Why?

Pride, selfish ambition, pressure. You name it. There are a million things that pull on my mind and heart to pursue those things instead of Jesus. So, I have to remind myself daily to pursue Him and follow Him first.

Serving as a youth pastor is an incredible gift and calling. There’s no doubt. But, have you let that outweigh the gift and calling you have to follow Jesus? It’s easy to do. How will you fight against that?

Please be encouraged that your work in your local church is changing eternity for families. It’s a good thing. Investing in the next generation is never a waste. It’s a noble task. But don’t neglect your heart and soul. In order to keep the fire burning in your ministry, you have to fuel it with something. That something is time with Jesus.

Look To Jesus

In Scripture, Jesus is known to go away early in the morning to spend time with the Father. He needed that time. You need that time. When you run the race of your ministry calling, the only place to find rest is to fall into the presence of Jesus. Rest doesn’t make you slower or distracted. It actually prepares you for the calling you have.

Ministry leader, the work you do is not about you. It is all for the glory of God. It starts with the overflow of your own time with God. Love the Word more than you love ministry. Love praying and talking to God more than telling others to do that. Lead from your knees in the quiet of your home more than you lead from a stage.

Remember

So, youth worker, remember. Remember that the Creator of the universe cares so deeply about you that He would indeed call you into purpose here on Earth. That purpose is to know Him, love Him, and follow Him. It’s by His grace that He then invites us and allows us to be part of His work here on Earth by making the good news of Jesus known to this generation of middle and high school students!

Who do you have in your life to remind you of that? What steps are you taking to keep your heart in check?

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

1. What does your own personal time with the Lord look like?
2. When was the last time you sat quietly and spent time with Jesus without worrying about a church concern?

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