Is it possible to have a singles ministry in which there are never any storms? Where everyone gets along, there is no drama, no one is sleeping with anyone else, no cohabitation, and no argueing. Where everyone is growing in their relationship with Christ. Where everyone shows up each Sunday morning. Where everyone is prepared because they have done their small group lesson. Where everyone can't wait to tell you what God has done in their life that week.

Well, it could happen but probably not on this earth. How do I know this? Well, if you have ever served in singles ministry in any way, you know its an on-going ministry to the healthy and unhealthy. To the saved and unsaved. To the high on Jesus and near suicidal. Bottom line, its a storm. And with a storm you never know where it's always coming from and where its going. You aren't sure if it will bring the cooling temperatures needed so much on a hot summer day or the disaster from a tornado. You aren't sure if its the kind of storm that will water the dry land full of crop or create a tidal wave and destroy everything in its path.

But even with knowing this, I thank God for the storms in my ministy as well as in my life.  Even though storms can sometimes bring distruction it can also brings change. And some of us need change. Change in our attitudes, change in our professions, change in our focus, and change in our obedience.

What storm do you need God to bring in your life?
Job 40:6
Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:

Today I was looking out my bedroom window and saw what I thought was a cat in a tree. From the angle and distance I was at, it had a calico colored fur. I thought, I know cat's can climb but I had never seen one in a tree before. Food must be short supply. lol. I decided to walk outside to get a better view and realized that it was not a cat but instead a red-tailed hawk. And it was magnificent. I had never seen one this close except at a zoo. I decided to get a closer look, armed with my cell phone to take a picture (mad that I didn't grab my real camera in time). Although I knew I would't be able to get a great shot with my cell phone, seeing the hawk was more important than capturing it's photo. As I walked closer he turned his head to watch me. I didn't make a sound. I crept close and closer to watch this beautiful bird. As he watched me, he was also listening and watching for food. The smallest rustle of leaves would draw his attention. I watched as he stayed very focused on the prize. With one turn of his head, he kept me in view but at the same time never gave up the real purpose. As soon as I appeared to get too close, he flew 10 feet away to another tree. Again, I approached to get a better photo and he again, he flew farther away. He didn't appear to fear me but knew when to stay and face danger and when to run. Because ultimately he was after a prize and nothing was going to get in his way. Nothing.

Like the hawk, we are here to go after the prize. The prize of our salvation and sanctification. The prize of leading and winning souls to Christ. The prize of working and serving the Lord. The prize of building our relationship with Him. And even though things come our way that may or may not be danger at first glance, a temptation, a threat to our quiet times, to our work, to our relationship, to our sanity, we must not loose focus on the prize for which he has called us heavenward. You have to know when the Lord well enough to know what is after you to destroy you and know what is after you to grow you.

Thank you Lord that everywhere I go, you are there.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.