When Ministry Feels Like Chaos: Let there Be Light

When God began to create the heavens and the earth— ² the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— ³ God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. ⁴ God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God named the light Day and the darkness Night. Genesis 1:1-5a, CEB

I imagine that the earth being without shape or form, dark over the deep sea, is how ministry teams feel at the starting line of a new dream. For many leaders, leading ministry through uncertainty can feel exactly like this. You know something needs to be initiated, processed, or concluded. The congregation is itching for something different. The season of the ministry is clearly indicating that a change is on the way. When leaders sit down to dream about their next and their new, it can often feel exactly like we are starting from a place of darkness, without shape or form.

This place can feel so discouraging. This place of nothingness—when we know something needs to happen, but we do not yet know what that something will be. Here, we don’t know who will step up, if resources will come, or if the vision will move forward. No one likes to be in this place. 

If or when you find yourself, your team, or your church in such a place, please remember this: You are not alone. You were made in the image of a Creator. Your light will come.

You Are Not Alone in Uncertain Seasons

Friends, in the place before the starting line, do not forget that before our Lord returned to the Father at the conclusion of His earthly ministry, He promised that He would be with us always. This is one of those promises that is always relevant to every situation in our lives. We need to believe this promise and act like we believe it. We must remember that we are not alone, for we are accompanied at every step of our journey by the One who loved us first and loves us the most. At every step of the journey, we are being kept in the palm of the Lord’s hand. At every step of the journey, we have the privilege to be loved, led, guided, and provided for so that we can keep on keeping on to get to and beyond the starting line.

Sometimes, remembering that we are not alone requires more than a moment—it requires intentional space to listen, pray, and discern. If you’re seeking that kind of space, working with a spiritual director can be a meaningful way to notice God’s movement in your life and leadership.

Created for Creativity in the Midst of Uncertainty

Genesis 1 opens with these words, “When God began to create the heavens and the earth— the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters…” And while the part of the creation story when God creates humans comes later in Genesis, when it is shared, we learn that we are all created in the image of God. We are created in God’s image—not God, but able to embody the creativity of the One who created us. When we are sitting at any starting line, and we see it as darkness, ministry without shape or form, we can seek the Creator to help us explore whatever creativity is necessary. 

You can be creative. To say that you are not creative is to reject a part of who your Creator has made you to be. You might have to engage in a creative process. You might have to get around people for whom creativity just flows from their brains. You might have to stretch your imagination muscle. You might have to do intentional work to dissipate the darkness and give shape and form to what is before you, but you can do it. You can be creative.

Trusting God When the Path Forward Is Unclear

God saw the nothingness and knew what was needed to shift the darkness. So God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night.

Friends, your light will come. When you remember that you’re not alone and created in God’s image, you can trust that your light will come. The darkness that you might find discouraging at this moment is only for a moment. When you seek the Lord and then speak LIGHT into your situation, Light will come!

God Brings Light in Uncertain Seasons

Light will come in different ways. Light will come through new ideas, partnerships, volunteers, resources, uplifted hearts, and unspeakable joy for the work ahead! So, receive the light and walk in it so you can begin and complete the work that is yours.

Sometimes that light comes through others’ wisdom—conversations that help us discern what support we need in a season. If you’re thinking about developing leaders within your ministry and wondering when to bring in outside support, listen to this conversation: Internal Mentoring vs. External Coaching.

Friends, you are not alone. You are created in the image of the Supreme Creator. And without a doubt, your light will come!