Posted by: Anna As I've mentioned before, I've been attending TeenPact programs for three years now. Which kind of meant that I was either at the point of being done with state classes and only doing alumni events, or of trying for staff. I decided on the latter. It wasn't really an easy decision. The fact is, I'm extremely introverted and, yes, shy. Staffers are expected to be extremely extroverted and outgoing. So naturally, it was an intimidating prospect. Even just the phone interview was enough to make me hesitate to apply. But, I felt like God wanted me to take the step and apply, and He would then decide whether or not I'd get it. He decided I would. Now, staff training is in two weeks. And the actual class is in just over a month. Naturally, I'm starting to get a little stressed about it. . . so this morning, before I started reading my Bible, I prayed about it. Then I opened to Jeremiah since that's where I've been reading lately, and read chapter 17. Here's what it said. "Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. . . . Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (17:5-8) This passage really struck home because when I thought about it, it rather accurately describes the type of person a staffer is supposed to be. They're supposed to be conspicuously passionate about their faith. They're supposed to be ready to act calmly and confidently when schedules change or plans fall apart (does not fear the heat or drought), remaining an example of humility, patience, kindness, and courage (leaves remain green), and they're supposed to make a powerful impact on the lives of the students (does not cease to bear fruit). So how do they do this? By trusting in God. I know it's "cliche" and a concept we've all heard before, but as I've said in other posts, reminders never hurt. I know the reminder didn't hurt me this morning, when I realized that: it's not me. It's God. I'm not going to make an impact on the lives of the students. God will do that, and will hopefully use me in the process. That's where the first part of the verse comes in. I can't trust in staff training, in reading the manual, in "mentally preparing myself", in my own abilities, or anything like that. Those all fall under the "man" and "flesh" categories. And while some of them, like reading the manual and staff training, are definitely things I should do and will help, they're just tools. They're guidelines. God is the only One who can truly equip me for His purposes in this or any area. He is the One who will supply me with just the right word of encouragement, prayer, understanding, or act to work in the heart of a student. If I go into the state class with the mindset of "I need to set an example, I need to remain mature and kind and confident no matter what, I need to demonstrate servant-leadership, I need to impact these students", then I will probably fail. I would be trusting in man and making flesh my strength. I'm not saying I don't play a role. I still have the responsibility to strive for setting an example and demonstrating Christian values. I have to be willing for God to use me. But I also have to realize that any success I have comes from Him, not me. Any impact I make is Him using me, not me using Him. Because in the end, I can't make a true, lasting impression on someone by myself. Only God can do that. And this doesn't just apply to staffing. It's fair to say that each of us will meet about 80,000 people in our lifetime. That's three new people each day that we interact with on average. In other words, you will probably have 80,000 opportunities to influence someone. Or, God has 80,000 opportunities to use you to influence someone for His glory and their salvation. That's a big deal, when you think about it. Which is why it's important that we make the most of it, and don't waste our time trying to be the force that makes the change, but instead be willing to let God do what He knows is best through and with us. To adopt the mindset of not me, but Him. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." -Philippians 2:13
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