In the midst of our team’s excitement about Inclusion Fusion, I received word today about a development that represents a major disappointment for our ministry. Funny how that pattern tends to repeat itself. Like a stink bomb lobbed into a party. When I got done seeing patients, I shot a text off to Harmony with a question…Why does this stuff happen? By the time I got home from the office, I had my answer, but I believe the answer came from a higher authority than Harmony.

I started reflecting on the experiences of David and Paul. Both were remarkable leaders. Both confronted great adversity. David, the rightful king of Israel, spent years fleeing a deranged and spiritually bankrupt King Saul determined to kill him because of the threat David posed to Saul’s position and authority. Paul experienced more than his share of adversity as well in his ministry to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles, along with the much-debated “thorn” in his side.

Both David and Paul responded to their adversity by turning to God and depending upon His power and authority as opposed to relying upon their own talents and abilities and the natural talents and abilities of their inner circle. I’ve been negligent in depending upon God and I’ve spent far too much time struggling to overcome the impediments placed in our path through my own failed strategies and solutions.

I’m incredibly proud of our extremely gifted and dedicated staff and volunteers at Key Ministry. Therein lies the problem.

While my Christian identity continues to grow, I’m also a very left-brained physician and scientist. When confronted with a problem, I’m prone to try to find the smartest and most able people available to tackle the problem. That approach is so rational. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last year, it’s that ministry world is not rational.

I’ve been trying to overcome our recent challenges in my own strength. I wonder if one purpose behind the “thorn” in my side (and the side of our ministry) is to be reminded that God doesn’t share His glory with anyone. If we’re going to have the privilege of watching God do amazing things through churches and kids with disabilities and their families, we may have to go through some humbling experiences so that it becomes unmistakably clear that God’s doing the work, and not a bunch of talented people operating out of their knowledge and experience.

Maybe if I learn my lesson more quickly and pray and the first sign of adversity as opposed to plan, I’ll spare my team too many more humbling experiences.

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Key Ministry helps connect churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. In order to provide the free training, consultation, resources and support we offer every day to church leaders and family members, we depend upon the prayers and generous financial support of readers like you. Please pray for the work of our ministry and consider, if able, to support us financially!