Whom have I... but You?

Ps. 73: 25-28
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27  Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28  But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.“

My body (health) is certainly failing. Backaches, joint issues, allergies, etc. plague me. At this very moment, I am counting 7 ”issues“ that plague me on a daily basis in my physical body (ankle, calf, back, shoulder, bicep, eyes & allergies (not counting the individual allergies - just bunching them together!). It’s funny how we accept these as ”normal“ and continue on living life.

I’m not against maintaining good health through proper diet, exercise & rest. But I don’t want to spend so much time ”maintaining“ my body that I forget to use it for it’s purpose - to impact the lives of other people for eternity.

I think that this is why some people who live long lives look forward to Heaven! Pain is a natural part of life, but constant physical pain is tiring & wearing. I truly admire people who in the midst of battling cancer or some other form of unremitting, relentless pain manage to keep their hearts, minds & eyes focused on the eternal value of life.

I tend to want to ”pack up & go home” when I “suffer” for 2 or 3 days (or weeks) from some physical ailment or injury.

But, that’s not all bad because it does remind me of my true home, my eternal home, where I’ll spend the rest of forever with Jesus. That’s sounding better & better all the time!

What I'm created to do

Recently, my regional leader asked me the following questions:
        What is the ideal job description for me?
        What does that entail & look like?
        What job/ministry includes my passions?

Here are my thoughts:

I need a place/job/ministry where the following is possible on a regular basis:

> Mobility - It is important for me to get out from behind the desk and do things. I need to be “out and about” at least sometimes. I am rarely happier than when I don’t have to be cooped up in an office, but can get out and do things or be with people.

> Creating/Innovating - It is important for me to be able to propose and/or implement new, creative ideas. I need to be appreciated for my ability to see things in innovative ways and come up with creative solutions. I am happy/fulfilled when I am in an environment where creativity & innovation are appreciated.

> Pioneering - It is important for me to launch new ventures. I need the opportunity to take on brand-new , never-before-accomplished tasks and see them accomplished. I am “fired up“ when trying a new ministry or ministry approach for the first time.
        
> Risk - It is important for me to know that I am taking some risks. I need to be involved in a ministry where things are not always predictable and in which the outcome is not always determinable in advance. I am ”jacked up“ when I have made a risky decision and things end up with positive results.

> Influencing/Impacting - It is important for me to feel that I have had a significant impact on others. I need to be valued for my ability to work at least as hard as anyone else. I love to put in long, hard hours and see the fruit of my labor in my ministry.

> Working primarily with young people is an absolute must. It is a non-negotiable. They are the key to effective, long-term change in any culture or country.

5. What job/ministry includes my giftedness?

> Traveling to new locations to visit, explore, investigate and dream of new possibilities for ministry innovation & development

> Going to locations where ministry to young people either does not exist or is barely functional and meeting with parties interested in exploring, initiating and/or developing ministry to young leaders

> The setting must include in it extensive time with people