One of the biggest problems with today’s society is that we are too busy. We constantly have meetings, and appointments, and events. We work through lunch and stay up all night doing homework.

The saddest part is, we think that’s an accomplishment. We wear our busyness as a badge of honor, saying “look at all the stuff I’m doing!”

The topic of being too busy is a whole other conversation though. I mention busyness because it creates another problem. . . inconvenience.

See, because we are so busy, and our schedules are packed so tight, the slightest hindrance seems to derail all of our plans. Starbucks drive-thru taking too long? Had to reschedule a meeting? Stuck behind someone going 50 in a 55 zone? Well, that’s inconvenient.

We get so frustrated with the tiniest things throughout the day, but why? I think it’s because we like control. I know I have the hardest time giving up control. When things don’t go the way we plan, or something gets in the way, we feel like we’ve lost a little bit of control. The inconvenient truth is that we all think about ourselves first in the face of inconvenience instead of trusting in God’s plan for our daily lives.

Last night, at youth group, I was playing ultimate frisbee with the students. Near the end of the game, I was jogging to the other side of the field to get ready for the next point. As I was slowing down, I landed on my ankle wrong and. . . POP!

Well, needless to say, that was the end of the game for me. As I limped towards the church to go get some ice, I got frustrated and started thinking about how inconvenient that was. I would probably have to take a day or two off work, and now I’m gonna have a limp for a week, and can I still drive with this foot?

I’m embarrassed to say that my immediate reaction was to think about all the ways that I was inconvenienced and not the reason I was there. I am there to serve this ministry, and these students, and I truly love doing it. So what, if I have to drive two and a half hours round trip every week? So what, if I get a minor ankle sprain from playing games with the students? So what, if the card game we are playing is taking way longer that I thought and I have work in the morning? (Which also happened last night)

The work that God is doing in this ministry is so much bigger and so much more important than anything in my life and I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to server in it. So while it may not always be the most glamorous job, it’s what I’ve been given and I’ve been called to be faithful in it.

I’ll leave you with these words from Paul to Timothy.

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. . . But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

2 Timothy 4:2, 4:5 (NLT)