Just a handful of weeks into the pandemic quarantine, I was already starting to take stock of lessons God was teaching me. I was collecting new perspectives about my life as a special needs parent, as a leader in disability ministry and as a person. I was certain to “never forget” what that period of forced isolation taught me.
Well, here we are. In the course of time and in the newly emerging chaos of ministering among people rushing back to “normal” life, I’m already struggling to remember, let alone walk out, the lessons I was so certain would not leave me! How about you? Are you struggling too? Are we holding true to the growth or progress we sensed God was cultivating in us during the quarantine? Or are we already forgetting and getting caught up in the frenzy?
Life and ministry are feeling ever so complicated in this transitioning phase. There are more changes to navigate and numerous questions still looming. A lot is still so unclear. We are on our knees before God, begging for Him to slow certain things down and speed other things up.
In the midst of it all, I’m taking stock once again. Truly, I hope none of us forgets what we are learning along the winding road of COVID-19 and race relations. During meetings with disability leaders and a recent check-in call with a group of pastors who are navigating ministry in these times, I have heard valuable insights from varied fronts. Iron is sharpening iron within collaborative conversations among special needs ministry leaders, senior pastors of churches large and small, prison chaplains, military chaplains, solo pastors, missionaries and many others trying to follow Jesus into the world.
Photo credit: Chris Montgomery on Unsplash.com.
I’m hearing ponder-worthy answers to the following question:
What is the biggest lesson you have learned during this season so far?
Some notable responses fall into these categories:
I’M PRAYING MORE
“I’m really enjoying more time alone with God.”
“I am more desperate for God’s creativity.”
“I’m learning to stay more attentive to the Holy Spirit’s voice.”
I’M LEARNING TO BE A LEARNER
“I want to hear your thoughts on ministering to those who are physically/emotionally/cognitively challenged during this unique ministry season.”
“I want to understand how to keep vulnerable people satisfyingly engaged in the life of the church.”
“I want to know what community can look like for folks who will have to stay home yet for a long time.”
I’M LEARNING TO BE MORE OTHER-FOCUSED
“We’re getting back to ministry yielded to people, not programs.”
“I’m recognizing how self-centered I really am.”
“Family morale, much like staff morale, volunteer morale and congregational morale, needs attention.” (Check out this 3-part series on boosting morale).
I’M LEARNING TO BE MORE FLUID
“I want to stop being locked into a perspective.”
“I’m being more open to change.”
“I’m hearing the message, ‘Let your boat FLOAT!’”
“I no longer believe strategic planning is a 5 to 10-year process. I now believe that strategic planning is a 5 to 10-day reality. We used to set the course for achieving goals over a 5 to 10-year period. I truly believe we need to set the course of achieving goals over a 5 and 10-day — not years, DAY — period…if we’re going to continue to reach our community.” (This thoughtful challenge came from Ryan Wolfe, founder of Ability Ministry during an episode of “Talk with Doc” at SOAR Special Needs. Check out the full 2-minute quote here starting at the 27:00 mark).
I’M GETTING MORE REST — AND REALIZING HOW MUCH I NEED IT
“I’ll be less inclined to fill the schedule.”
“Some of the programs we’ve offered may not be as essential as we thought they were.”
That last part of the initial question was “so far.” And that phrase may be as important as the question itself. Only time and our discernment with the Holy Spirit will reveal what more we have to learn through this. I wonder which lessons will emerge and which of those we now value will leave the deepest marks on our ways of living.
A discovery process like this is what makes our walk with Christ a grand adventure, is it not? Seeing how He reveals Himself along the open road of surrender and service is a gift. It is at the intersection of desperation, humility, stillness and Gospel hope that we learn to be more attentive to Jesus’ call. It’s also in that place where we see God’s best fruit multiplied.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Lisa Jamieson is a caregiver consultant, pastoral counsellor and author of popular books and Bible studies including Finding Glory in the Thorns and Jesus, Let’s Talk. Lisa and her husband, Larry, live in Minnesota with the youngest of their three grown daughters, Carly, who has Angelman Syndrome. Together, the Jamiesons founded Walk Right In Ministries in 2008, a non-profit organization building faith and community with special needs families.
