Jason, great blog post! I appreciated your thoughts and how you applied them to your context of Christian ministry. I also work in ministry and really related to your question of:

How do you feel when you think about adding value to the lives of others and why?

I feel very privileged when I think about adding value to the lives of others. The reason is, in order to add value to people’s lives we need to be “let-in”, I think there needs to be relationship present in order for true value to be added. For some of the people we work with that relationship might go deep or for some it might be more surface-level, but getting to be who you are and influence others by using the gifts and skills God has given you is incredible. Then, in a miraculous work of God’s grace, we get to witness how He uses what little we have and multiplies it to grow and build into others!

I disciple and mentor young people in ministry and it is such a privilege to journey with them. The amazing thing about working with young adults, is just how much of an impact God can have in their lives through a discipleship or mentorship relationship. Honestly, for me there is nothing like seeing the development and progress of these young adults in their relationships with God. As they grow in their depth with God they discover and experience what it means to have their identity in Christ. This results in growth in many ways such as: personal confidence, positive self-esteem, a sense of purpose, individual calling, discovering their giftings, developing skills, and knowing their place in their community and in the world.

Therefore, I feel very privileged, thankful and trusted by God to have the opportunity to lead young people in this way!

Monica