My fifteen-year-old son and I were sitting at a stoplight on Kingshighway, just south of Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis in September of 2020. I had been here many times as I drove to make hospital visits at the sprawling medical center we were approaching. 

In this area it had always felt to me that too many cars were trying to rush and push their way into a very crowded space. When I added trying to anticipate which lane to be in and worries about where I would park, this part of the trip had always made me extremely tense. I have lived most of my life in small towns in southeast Missouri, and this area caused feelings that were much more intense than the carefree times of cruising the town square in my hometown.

But today felt weirdly different, and Benjamin was the first to remark about it. “Dad, this traffic seems like nothing.” Just moments before I had been struck with the same feeling. We were in the exact situation that had been so stressful so many times before, but on that day it seemed like nothing. Something had changed our perspective on the situation. 

That something is Houston, Texas. Our family had spent eight weeks there just a few months before, while I was having successful treatment for prostate cancer. We had never had daily experience with traffic on that level. No matter how far I was going, I felt like I had to fight an epic battle for every inch of highway I traveled there. Thankfully, surprisingly, and carefully, we were able to successfully navigate in, around, and finally out of Houston with no damage to us or our vehicles or any of the thousands that were around us. 

After Houston, Kingshighway in St. Louis felt like nothing. Even Benjamin noticed it from the passenger seat. 

The situation reminds me of a quote from David in 1 Samuel 17:34-37, immediately before he went to battle the nine-foot giant, Goliath.

³⁴But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 

³⁵I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 

³⁶Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 

³⁷And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” (ESV)

When David was a shepherd boy, God had a divine plan that he would grow to be the leader of Judah and Israel. This is where my plan would differ from God’s. In my plan, I would not risk the life of my chosen king by allowing a lion and a bear to threaten him. He must be protected at all costs. 

God’s plan for David was not for protection from danger, but it was for deliverance through hardship. I want God to keep me from trials in my life, but He wants to prove to me that He will deliver me through times I am not sure I can endure. 

For David, that deliverance was also preparation. it gave him faith to depend on God as a young boy when he went to battle against a giant that caused the seasoned warriors of Israel to cower. God used the lion and the bear to grow character in David that would be needed as a leading warrior of Judah and eventually as the king.

That is how God works in our lives. The traffic of Houston made a previously stressful situation seem routine. The lion and bear that David faced led to growth he would need in his battle with Goliath. The hardship that you are in, or will go through in your future, is not a sign that God has abandoned you, but a part of His plan to lead you to growth in character and faith.

At the risk of sounding like a preacher, God will use your test to give you a testimony…and to prepare you for another test. Joy comes from knowing that when each battle is over, you will know that He was with you and that He delivered you. 

About the Author: Greg Stevens serves as Associate Pastor at Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Dexter, MO. He loves being a husband to Penny and father to Benjamin and Sarah who are 18 and 10.

It’s one of those sayings your parents used to always say that would really frustrate you about whatever situation you found yourself in. Maybe it was a night when they wouldn’t let you go out with your friends because of things happening at home that you were unaware of. Or maybe it was one of those times when you wanted to make a purchase you thought was a great “investment,” but your parents advised against it. And, of course, there’s the tear-filled, end-of-the-world moment after your first breakup, as you cried on your mom’s shoulder because you really did love her.

This year, I turned 30, and while I’m still far from being “experienced” in life and still have plenty to learn, I’ve had the opportunity to be on church staff for ten years and have been around all kinds of incredible leaders my whole life. One mind-boggling thing we do as churches is talk a lot about making an impact on the next generation. But when the next generation chooses to step into a call of ministry, how do we shape and encourage them to be humble servants of Jesus and dynamic leaders of people? So here are a few simple things I’ve learned over the last few years, with the hope of encouraging those of us leading people, whether young or seasoned in life.

Don’t Neglect an Opportunity to Learn

This might honestly be the most important thing for any leader. Often, young individuals are excited about the opportunity to jump in and lead people, to share their big ideas and deliver incredible sermons. But you’d be surprised by the amount of experience and wisdom in the people around you if you’d just be quiet and listen for a few moments. On the flip side, good leaders are always looking to make a difference, regardless of age or experience, ask yourself what new things you can learn from each experience. A couple of years ago, someone spoke into the lives of my friends and me, saying, “They might be 90% out of line and wrong in what they’re claiming about you, but what is that other 10% you can learn and improve from?” Over the last two years, I’ve been continually praying for myself and those around me, saying, “God, please help me and show me ways to be better today than I was yesterday, and give me a mindset to be better tomorrow than I am today, all for your glory.” Leaders are always learning; sometimes, it just takes intentionality to be grateful for the rooms you’re in and listen rather than speak. Be grateful you get to be in the rooms that you’re in and always show honor to the ones that invited you into them.

Be Intentional & Present

In 2023, we are the most relationally “connected” our culture has ever been, but we’re also the most emotionally disconnected. That’s why it’s critical to be intentional about the relationships we have, the people we lead, and the purpose God has placed in our lives. People are longing for something that is authentic and real. But with that intentionality takes work, awareness, and active presence in our lives. So what are you intentional and present for? Are you intentional about setting aside time to spend with your spouse and kids, so they know you’re present and not just always focused on “ministry?” Be intentional about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, so you can lead appropriately. Personally, I have to be extra intentional in how I communicate (something I’m still working on) and be present in how I communicate it. I mean, just because it makes sense in my mind it should be obviously clear in everyone else’s, right? I love the quote from Mark Sanborn: “Intentional leadership is being crystal clear on what you’re trying to accomplish and taking the right action every day to do it.” God has given you a purpose, laid out a plan, and surrounded you with people; now, be intentional in carrying out that calling, dream, and vision He’s placed on your life.

Trust in God’s Plan and Provision

This one may seem obvious, but it’s often dismissed. As we learn to lead and our influence grows, we sometimes become proud of our “accomplishments.” However, God hasn’t given us gifts and abilities for the purpose of helping us to grow His kingdom; He’s gracious in giving us these things to help us fulfill His desires. There are days when it doesn’t look like what we think it should. Let’s be honest; there are some days, weeks, and months when it feels like we keep running into a wall, repeating the same struggles over and over, as if life were some kind of GIF. God wants us to be available to do what He wants to do. We have to trust His plan and provision. Just because it doesn’t make sense to us doesn’t mean it doesn’t make total sense to Him; we just have to get out of the way.

Have Fun

I believe God delights in His creation, and we are an intricate part of that creation. In fact, we’re probably the most critical part. If God takes delight in the fact that He created us, we should take delight in the life we’ve been given. Too often, we sweat the little things and miss the miraculous. And the miracles are what make life fun. Go and make friendships with people you love being around, especially those you get to serve with. Watch those around you blossom into who God created them to be. Find joy in the fact that God chose you. Put a smile on your face, be a person others want to be around, and see what kind of catalyst that is for the broken world around you. Don’t take everything so personal and don’t take the moments for granted.

Honestly, I could continue discussing the many things I’ve learned from my 10 years of leadership experience, including lessons on how not to lead people based on ways I have and observations of others. We could dive into a whole separate article about the dangers of comparing your leadership and influence to someone else’s highlight reel. However, this is meant to be a short blog for you to read today and it’s already passed short. I hope it provides some valuable insights. Remember, strive to be better today than you were yesterday and embrace each day as an opportunity to be better tomorrow.

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Okay, fine, just one more! You may have heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.” I want to encourage you to modify that slightly. “Work smarter and work harder.” By working smarter, you can find creative ways to maximize your potential, but that doesn’t excuse you from putting in the effort. Show the people you influence that you’re a hard worker who also knows how to bring creative solutions.

About the Author: Aaron Dickinson is the location pastor of Real Life Church in Mountain Home, AR where he serves under Pastor Vince Daniel. He and his wife Michalie have two incredible kids and you’ll most likely find them playing golf, shopping, or resting as a family.

“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

One of my favorite verses since I was a child.  I claimed it many times as my head said, ‘yes God has a plan for me’.    Yet it wasn’t until I was an adult that I embraced the verses that followed.  The verses that made me realize I have a part to play in God’s plan developing in my life.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”

The year my world fell apart and it seemed all ‘my plans’ for my life had been destroyed, these verses came alive in a very real and perfect way.   I was down on my knees in the middle of the woods literally crying out to God “what now?”   “What is your plan for me now Lord?”  It was amid that seeking with all my heart that He revealed to me that HIS plan was still the same.  HE was still the same.   I was the one who had drifted so far away focusing on my plans in this world, that I failed to seek Him with all my heart along the way.  Then I pondered, would it have changed the outcome of the events that had left me broken?   Maybe…maybe not.  One thing that was clear was that even if the circumstances hadn’t changed, my perspective most certainly would have… if I had only been living out the 2 verses that followed one of my favorite verses.

God has a plan for the world and most certainly invites us to be a part of that plan.  His redemption plan is perfect and full of blessings for those who choose to align with His will and seek Him with all their heart.  I am thankful that it is never too late to seek Him with all our heart and realign our lives with His plan.

Reflecting on my personal experience I can now see how God was working in several different people and groups and even another country during the time I was off course to complete His plan.  Then when I chose to seek Him with all my heart and start asking Him to include me in those plans, He aligned everything in His timing to bring me to a place where I could be a part of that plan.  Did He need me?… most certainly not.  He saw my heart and heard my prayers and chose me to fill a small part in His greater plan.  I am forever grateful and blessed because of that.

I am grateful for broken dreams and disappointments that led me to where and who I am now in Christ.  Not perfect, but a work in progress who has learned to seek God with all my heart and know that apart from Him I can do nothing.  

Now I read Jeremiah 29 out of order because for me it makes more sense that way:

v 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

v 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

v 11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

If you are at a crossroad in your life and trying to make a big decision about your future, I encourage you to pray over and live out these verses for your direction.

If you have lost your way and desire for God to use you in His plans, I encourage you to cry out to the Lord and pray over these verses and watch and see how God brings you back into His plan.

Either way, commit these verses to heart and watch and see how God uses you to His glory in His plans.  The blessings are infinite, and the joy is priceless!

About the Author: Christina Massey has been serving as a missionary in Honduras since 2011. She is currently the administrator of Faith Home, a ministry that provides a safe and healthy place to love and raise children who were neglected, abandoned, and abused. She also loves being a mom to her seven year old son Joshua Isaias.