Soar Like Eagles

   Could you think of parallels between ministry and a jump with parachute? Both are exciting and take some courage. There is a lot of unpredictability. Both require training. Both present some challenges. The theme of Aug staff training was “Soar Like Eagles”.

   Three of the staff decided to have their first parachuting experience to be able to bring in parallels between ministry and parachuting. The experience included a lot of waiting around, then a few hours of training, part of which was about landing on electrical wires, trees and water (some second thoughts crossing the minds of those about the jump), then getting on the plane (that seemed to be a leftover from the Second World War), then the excitement of a jump (which seemed to be too short) and landing 2 kilometers off base, then having to carry 40 pounds of gear back to the base.

   In ministry there is quite a lot of waiting – you sow and water and wait and wait and wait for fruit… Waiting is difficult – for some it’s the most difficult, but we need to remember - it’s God who brings the increase. Then there is training – it’s crucial for success of ministry. There we learn how to reach the goals, how to deal with difficulties, how to be effective at each stage of ministry strategy.

   The excitement of jump and landing can be compared to the moment when you get a chance to share Christ with somebody and have a joy of watching that person giving his heart to God! But very soon you realize that this is not the end – there is the hard work of discipleship and raising lay leaders. You reach the base tired but happy. And you can’t wait to jump again!

“Those who trust God will fly like Eagles…”. Pray that we trust God and walk tirelessly.