My Yellow Brick Road

I met a pastor today and had a friendly chat about ministry and church. Much of the conversations revolved around introduction of ourselves and how we got into ministry, but it slowly went into personal sharing about dealing with church and the challenges about ministering to Christians in New York City.

There was a slight change of the feel of the conversation. Here I am sitting with a seasoned lead pastor of a church for over 10 years and somehow; and I believe through the humbling of the Holy Spirit, I was founded to be in equal with him. I am no longer a rookie, he is no longer a veteran but as both servants of God who identifies with each others obstacles in ministry.  There is a humbling experience that is indescribable. It moves me deeply that I am seeing the Gospel working through in both our stories when we share. 

For a moment in time, I feel hopeful in a way that I have not in a long time. My circumstances still seem bleak but somehow faithful servants as him encourages me that there are people out there that are calling out in the same voice. Sometimes I wonder why didn't God bring these people into my life earlier, why did He bring me through these past few years with people who cannot fully understand my predicament and keep finding myself falling into a depressive state of loneliness in ministry. 

But much to God's sovereignty, I have learned to trust God when so much around me seems to not favor me and then find assurance in scripture and experience the words coming to life. Then these faithful and persevering servants of Christ comes along and share a moment of encouraging relief to my pursuit.