During the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of serving in many different capacities from teacher to director of children's ministry. I know what it's like to have a wonderfully supportive pastor and plenty of resources. I have also had to struggle with insufficient budget, inadequate facilities, and the challenge of recruiting and retaining hundreds of volunteers. In the midst of good times and trying times, I understand the importance of remaining faithful to the call to transform young lives.

As I travel across the country speaking, I am often asked, "How do you keep yourself from becoming weary?" The answer can be found in Ephesians 3:20 where it states that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

The secret to overcoming weariness while being faithful to the call, is realizing that God does not expect you to minister out of your own natural ability.

God expects us to rely on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. He never intended for us to be burdened by stress, anxiety, or fears associated with ministering the Good News. He knew we needed help to minister effectively. He has provided the Holy Spirit to be our helper and energizer.

There are situations when education, intellect, and understanding are not sufficient. Having the ability to draw from God's supernatural power to rest as you labor, makes all the difference.The supernatural knowledge and power from God enables you to accomplish what you could not accomplish through your own ability, influence, or intelligence.

We are instructed to rest in the power of God as we labor among the children. On the surface this may seem like a contradiction of words, How can we rest and labor at the same time? We can rest in the knowledge that God's power will transform our natural ability into supernatural ability. We can labor knowing that God is able to help us accomplish things beyond our greatest hopes and aspirations. As we rest and rely on His power, He causes us to be triumphant. God has given us the power to succeed.

Regardless of what you have been through, or what lies ahead of you, be confident that it is God who has begun a good work in you. He will bring it to completion as you yield to His direction.Don't get stressed, depressed, or anxious about anything. I am reminded of a familiar song, "Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

Praying is essential to experiencing rest while we labor. when we take time to enter into the presence of the father, we find renewed strength and direction. Unfortunately we often spend a great deal of time preparing lessons, gathering materials, planning events, and completing paperwork and neglecting the greatest thing.There is no substitute for spending time in the Word of God and in the presence of God. As we enter into His presence through worship and prayer, God directs our plans and affirms our purpose.

It is important to recognize that God has a specific plan and purpose for life. It is no accident that you are in a position to touch and transform young lives You have been commissioned by God to the work of ministry through God's divine plan and timing. Just as God had a specific plan and purpose for Esther, you have been brought to the kingdom for such a time as this. As you labor faithfully. God's divine plan will unfold right before your eyes. Just remember, no matter how green the grass looks elsewhere, You must remain faithful to the call. You must learn to rest while you labor.

To those of you who have been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulder, I encourage you lay your burden down at the foot of cross. Jesus said, "come unto me all weary and I will give you rest." Jesus reminds us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.Rest while you labor.

To those who have been wrestling with the question of, "How am I going to see my out-of-the-box vision become reality when I am surrounded by stay-in-the-box church leaders?" Remember that for every divinely-inspired vision, God will provide in His own time and on His own terms. Write your vision and articulate it clearly. Then start where you are, use what you have, do what you can, and watch God work.Rest while you labor.

To those who labor faithfully under adverse conditions, never receiving recognition or appreciation be confident that God is a rewarder of those who seek and serve Him. What you do in secret will be rewarded. Avoid the temptation of getting sidetracked by titles, positions, or numbers. Rest in the knowledge that as you faithfully submit yourself to His pians and purpose, God will maneuver you into the right place at the time.Rest while you labor

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). As we move into this, will be those whose ministries will experience the greatest impact on young people, will be those who are committed to doing "whatever it takes" to reach children. The children we minister to today are different from children in any other generation. They have unique needs and face considerable challenges.Let's enlarge our tents, cast our nets, sow seeds, and prepare to reap a harvest-while we rest in the labor.