8/24/10 - I have a large white board in my office. I’d never had a white board before until I became Director of Launch. I wasn’t quite sure what to use it for, but after a while it became invaluable.
It started this summer when we began to write our own curriculum. Every thought, every idea got written on the board. Together we’d stare at it, brainstorm, erase sections, add sections until we all stared at the board and in that one supernatural moment, said in full agreement, “That’s it!!” Always a wonderful, satisfying moment. But not only does the white board help guide our thoughts as we process, it also gives us a sense of accomplishment, seeing all our ideas and plans come together. That white board has become a source of inspiration to every one of us.
Yep, those are the days I love my white board; days I’m filled with anticipation and excitement about what God is doing.
But then …there’s Wednesday, the day in which the purpose of my white board changes. On Wednesday mornings we pray, all of Heartland staff. We pray for the people who have turned in the prayer card of their bulletin. It’s a goose-bump kind of moment knowing that prayers are being lifted up throughout the offices and halls of Heartland every Wednesday morning.
But a while back our staff sensed that we needed to add to these cards because every Wednesday we were coming in with family, friends and volunteers in great need of prayer. We couldn’t keep track of them all so we decided to put them up on the white board. And most Wednesdays that white board is filled with columns of people to pray for.
To be completely honest, it was easier when I was praying for people whose card I was reading from. I didn’t know them so I prayed with deep conviction and faith. But these people on my white board…they’re different. These are people who are connected to me. People I’m either related to, in community with or serve side by side with in our ministry. Most of them are our volunteers. And we have close to 800 volunteers.
As director of this ministry, rightly so or not, I feel responsible. I feel responsible for the struggles and battles that are going on in the lives of those closest to us because I’m the director. I’m asking people to give of their lives and their hearts to this ministry; to stop at nothing to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to our kids. And I’m asking this knowing full well that the greater the impact, the greater the enemy will hit.
And hit he does. Cancer, strokes, broken relationships, joblessness, bankruptcy, lost children, miscarriages, death. Every week. I’m appalled at what the enemy is doing. I come home at night and sometimes just sit in my chair, stunned at the cost. And yet… our staff keeps showing up every day, giving their absolute best. And Our volunteers keep arriving with smiles on their faces, pressing through every obstacle that attempts to get in their way because nothing is going to keep them from their kids. As discouraged as I am some days, I’m equally inspired by the staff and these volunteers. Their eyes are locked into Jesus and they continue to courageously enter into the enemy’s territory with a determination that is unmatched by anything or anyone I have ever seen.
Needless to say, Wednesday is turning into the day in which I absolutely love my white board because on Wednesday we get to write on it the names of our heroes. On Wednesday we get to stand on the word of God and have faith in Him like never before. On Wednesday we get confirmation from God that we’re on the right track.
God has always worked through many things, from a pillar of fire to a talking donkey. These days, in my life, He’s using a white board. A big, oversized, beautiful white board.
- Sharon