A Little Perspective
A Little Perspective
Rev. Spencer Kinkade
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let that perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, and not lacking in anything.” ~ James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let that perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, and not lacking in anything.” ~ James 1:2-4
Writer, Samuel Johnson says, "Great works are not accomplished by strength, but by perseverance." To persevere means to persist in an undertaking in spite of opposition or discouragement. When I look back and think about the year that was 2020, there were a lot of opportunities to be discouraged. 2020 was quite the undertaking as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our church and as a Student Ministry. It would not be fair for me to say that the pandemic negatively affected our ministry. The reality is there are no aspects of life that have not been affected by COVID-19. But, instead of rehashing what we already know, I want to do something a little out of character for me: focus on the positive.
Writer, Samuel Johnson says, "Great works are not accomplished by strength, but by perseverance." To persevere means to persist in an undertaking in spite of opposition or discouragement. When I look back and think about the year that was 2020, there were a lot of opportunities to be discouraged. 2020 was quite the undertaking as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our church and as a Student Ministry. It would not be fair for me to say that the pandemic negatively affected our ministry. The reality is there are no aspects of life that have not been affected by COVID-19. But, instead of rehashing what we already know, I want to do something a little out of character for me: focus on the positive.
When Pastor Brian and I met recently to discuss last year, he asked me what I thought the biggest success was within our Student Ministry in 2020. I quickly knew my answer. We never quit. We persevered. Ministry to students never stopped. Our adult leaders never gave up. We met via Zoom for 10 weeks. We prioritized regathering and did so, safely. We used discernment when to meet and when not to. Sure, our ministry looked completely different than it had ever before, but as a Student Ministry team, we were able to consistently provide ministry opportunities to our students in the middle of a global pandemic.
When Pastor Brian and I met recently to discuss last year, he asked me what I thought the biggest success was within our Student Ministry in 2020. I quickly knew my answer. We never quit. We persevered. Ministry to students never stopped. Our adult leaders never gave up. We met via Zoom for 10 weeks. We prioritized regathering and did so, safely. We used discernment when to meet and when not to. Sure, our ministry looked completely different than it had ever before, but as a Student Ministry team, we were able to consistently provide ministry opportunities to our students in the middle of a global pandemic.
Every team that I coach or have the opportunity to serve as their chaplain, I always tell them that "in every opportunity there is difficulty, but in every difficulty there is opportunity." When it comes down to it, it is all about perspective. I am typically a glass-half-empty kind of guy. The Lord is continually working on that in me. But we chose to see 2020 as an opportunity to overcome difficulty and rise above the pain. We did not allow our disappointment to turn in to discouragement. Rather, we chose to persevere. Adversity always reveals one's true character. Hebrews 12:1c says, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This verse reminds me of a poem, The Race.
Every team that I coach or have the opportunity to serve as their chaplain, I always tell them that "in every opportunity there is difficulty, but in every difficulty there is opportunity." When it comes down to it, it is all about perspective. I am typically a glass-half-empty kind of guy. The Lord is continually working on that in me. But we chose to see 2020 as an opportunity to overcome difficulty and rise above the pain. We did not allow our disappointment to turn in to discouragement. Rather, we chose to persevere. Adversity always reveals one's true character. Hebrews 12:1c says, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This verse reminds me of a poem, The Race.
Here is an excerpt from that poem:
Here is an excerpt from that poem:
"Defeat! He lay there silently. There's no sense running anymore. Why try? The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away, so far behind. 'I've lost, so what's the use?' But then he heard his dad, 'Get up. Get up and take your place. Get up and win the race.' With borrowed will, 'Get up,' it said, 'You haven't lost at all, for winning is not more than this: to rise each time you fall.' So up he rose to win once more, and with a new commit. He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit. So he gave it all he had and ran as though to win. Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the very end."
"Defeat! He lay there silently. There's no sense running anymore. Why try? The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away, so far behind. 'I've lost, so what's the use?' But then he heard his dad, 'Get up. Get up and take your place. Get up and win the race.' With borrowed will, 'Get up,' it said, 'You haven't lost at all, for winning is not more than this: to rise each time you fall.' So up he rose to win once more, and with a new commit. He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit. So he gave it all he had and ran as though to win. Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the very end."
The poem would go on to say, "For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all, but all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall." In 2020, we all faced ups, but mostly downs. But Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." This passage is ultimately about perseverance. Our Student Ministry demonstrated a great deal of perseverance in 2020. Because of that, I know the future is bright. Even if 2021 looks a lot like 2020, I know our students "will rise each time they fall."
The poem would go on to say, "For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all, but all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall." In 2020, we all faced ups, but mostly downs. But Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." This passage is ultimately about perseverance. Our Student Ministry demonstrated a great deal of perseverance in 2020. Because of that, I know the future is bright. Even if 2021 looks a lot like 2020, I know our students "will rise each time they fall."
Lastly, our Student Ministry would covet your prayers. The most pressing need for our students is endurance. They have demonstrated that they can persevere. But I want our students to be able to know they have "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." Their perseverance will lead to endurance. But they need your prayers, as a church, to get there. Will you be the voice they hear saying, "Get up!"
Lastly, our Student Ministry would covet your prayers. The most pressing need for our students is endurance. They have demonstrated that they can persevere. But I want our students to be able to know they have "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." Their perseverance will lead to endurance. But they need your prayers, as a church, to get there. Will you be the voice they hear saying, "Get up!"