During what you know will be your very last month doing something that you’ve poured your life into for a long time you do a great deal of thinking.  Things that at one point in your ministry seemed super important don’t anymore.  Other things that are truly important—things about life and people and God and ministry—these things really begin to their true colors.  And, might I add, their colors are absolutely beautiful.  Here’s a few things I’ve learned:

1. Plan ahead.  Seriously.
2. Sometimes the holiest answer is a kind “No.”
3. There is no substitute for faithfulness.
4. Read the Bible and pray—repeat daily.
5. Be happy to be yourself.
6. People are more important than to-do lists.
7. Nothing is more important than God.

Okay, so I realize that’s only 7 lessons.  And I advertised 7 and a 1/2.  Here’s the last half of one.  I refer to it as a half of one because I didn’t really come up with it.  On top of that, I don’t know if I even thought about it at all during my last month as a youth pastor.  It’s just that it seems too poignant and painstakingly truthful now not to mention it.  So without further ado, here’s #7 1/2:

“Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” (C. T. Studd)