Like Your Last

If you haven't heard yet, I will soon be leaving Crystal Valley Youth Group. God has called me to other places. I will be in Hawaii this summer for an internship and returning the next fall, as hopefully an RA.

After Adam announced I would be leaving, many people came up and gave me a hug and told me how much they would miss me. One of my small group guys gave me about 5 hugs.

As I was taking it all in, I was wishing that I had done more. That I had prayed for them more while I was them or that I had a deeper conversation with the students. And I started to tear up. I was really going to miss this place. 

It was during this moment I felt the Spirit saying to me: Nate, minister to people as if it's your last time with them. 

It could be the last time you get to pray for them, to talk to them, to tell them what they may need to hear.

Now, taken literally, this phrase could get carried away. But it's the attitude that is important. To do ministry like it's your last time. To go out with a bang so to speak, but to strive to do that every time. Imagine how your ministry and life might be different. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

As the apostle paul says, "¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."