Imagine... (by Bo Boshers)
For the last few months, each day I have been reading the book of Galatians. Some days I read a chapter or two, and some days just a single verse. This simple discipline of slowing down, taking my time and not being rushed when reading the scripture, has increased my desire to know God and to become a more Godly man. It also revealed how short I fall at times at letting God produce the Fruit of the Spirit within me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and helped me realize that without continual growth in my life, there is no fruit.
Have you ever felt this way? That what you are doing in student ministry is not making a difference, or when you look back at the last season of ministry, you realize that you personally have not grown in becoming more like Christ? I often wonder if one of my students, volunteers, or staff members were asked, “What is Bo like”, would they use words that would describe evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in my life? I know we all want to bear much fruit and make a difference with the one life God has given us. We all want to see our youth ministries prevail. But this is not easy. Youth ministry is hard work.
That’s where reading Galatians has been so encouraging to me. Paul must have known we would feel discouraged. In Galatians 6:9, he writes; “ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” I love how Paul uses the words; “let us” and “we will reap” and “if we do not give up”. It reminds me that I am not alone, that we are in this together and that we all need encouragement.
Imagine if youth leaders all around the country did not give up and become weary. Imagine the harvest of this young generation that would be reached. Imagine if this started today by all of us sending a personal word of encouragement to another youth worker. I believe it would make an eternal difference and my hope is that you do too. We can all do this! Be encouraged and I look forward to seeing you at the Shift Conference.
Bo Boshers
Have you ever felt this way? That what you are doing in student ministry is not making a difference, or when you look back at the last season of ministry, you realize that you personally have not grown in becoming more like Christ? I often wonder if one of my students, volunteers, or staff members were asked, “What is Bo like”, would they use words that would describe evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in my life? I know we all want to bear much fruit and make a difference with the one life God has given us. We all want to see our youth ministries prevail. But this is not easy. Youth ministry is hard work.
That’s where reading Galatians has been so encouraging to me. Paul must have known we would feel discouraged. In Galatians 6:9, he writes; “ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” I love how Paul uses the words; “let us” and “we will reap” and “if we do not give up”. It reminds me that I am not alone, that we are in this together and that we all need encouragement.
Imagine if youth leaders all around the country did not give up and become weary. Imagine the harvest of this young generation that would be reached. Imagine if this started today by all of us sending a personal word of encouragement to another youth worker. I believe it would make an eternal difference and my hope is that you do too. We can all do this! Be encouraged and I look forward to seeing you at the Shift Conference.
Bo Boshers
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