God Gives Growth

Driving home from church one Sunday, after a pretty difficult morning, God reminded me that He is in control. Between the technical issues, difficult conversations, and an all-around crazy morning I was just exhausted and beating myself up over the conversations of the morning.  I just kept thinking I should have said this and not that. I questioned whether or not I had just pushed students away. Then God just spoke and said…“Do you really think your words have that much power?” It’s wasn’t an audible voice but it might have well been because the thought rang so loud in my head.

In that moment I realized my thoughts weren’t focused in the right place.  The focus was on me and what my words could do, not on God’s power to change students’ lives.  Sure, that morning’s conversations didn’t go as well I had hoped they would. But that didn’t mean God wasn’t going to use it or that I somehow completely ruined His plan. He was in complete control and was going to work everything out for the good.

It can be challenging at times to not be disappointed in ourselves or second guess how we led a student.  But as leaders, we need to remember who is ultimately in control.  That Sunday wasn’t the first time I second-guessed how I handled a situation and it won’t be my last either. 

Photo by Daniel Öberg on Unsplash (Top)
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash (Middle)
Photo by Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash (Bottom)

When you second guess yourself, the most important thing is to remember God is in control. Then love your girls and step into those difficult conversations trusting God to do what is best with each one.  All you can do is share the truth of God’s word and love them.  The rest is up to God.

That morning I didn’t push any girls away.  They kept coming. They continued to hear truth. They continued to see that they were loved. But I never knew how God used the conversations that day and I probably never will. What I know is that God planted the seed and used me to do it.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9a says…

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are both God’s workers.”

You and I are God’s workers. You may be the planter or maybe you are the one who waters. But ultimately God is in control and produces growth in the lives of your girls. No matter which worker you are right now in the lives of your girls – DO THE WORK! Share the truth in love. Show compassion. Keep them accountable. Embrace the difficult conversations. Then let God work!

What work do you need to do today for youR girls?