Spiritual Boot Camp

Some days support raising is extremely difficult for me. Being a "numbers" person with an accounting background, during the course of a typical week I usually end up analyzing the detailed numbers behind our support progress. I look at our computer program for tracking our support and come up with statements like: If all the people we sent newsletters to supported us $30 a month right now, we would be in Idaho, or so far we've had 142 people/couples that have flat out turned us down on even hearing about our ministry, or we've talked to about 140 people/couples face-to-face and are about half way...do we need another 140 before we're done???

Yup, you've guessed it. By this time after focusing on all the negatives, you might as well book me a first class seat on the pity party cruise liner. (I think their first destination is either Fear Cove, Panic Bay or Doubt Island.)

It's about that time that God or Jennifer (or sometimes both) knock some sense into my head and tell me I'm listening to lies. I remember the solidarity of our call, and as I begin to analyze the positive numbers, I'm reminded of the faithfulness we've already seen in God providing for our needs.

But I still tend to get frustrated with where we are in support.

I read an article the other day entitled, "If the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, then why is it taking me so long to raise my support?" It reminded me that we are in a "spiritual boot camp" right now. Support raising isn't only about gaining our funding...it's about preparing us to be ministers of the Gospel on campus. That includes some stretching sanctification situations that we must undergo during this process.

For me, this stretching sanctification process has been pretty painful. Some days, I just want to dive under the bed or hide around the corner from challenges God is putting before me to grow. Once I realize He's doing it for my own good though (and with a lot of encouragement from my wife), I usually step into them with at least some confidence.

Lately, leadership has been God's focus for me. Honestly, I've been a follower most of my life. God's been putting me in situations where I have to lead...both in marriage and ministry. Call it a crash course in Manhood and Ministry if you will. I wish I was learning faster, but in the end I know God is molding characteristics into me that I'll need on campus.

So for now the support and sanctification process continues. Thank you for your continued prayers. They keep us going!