Return the Passion of my Youth
This is a picture from 2005 of the first time small group servants. We met a few times during the semester to share and pray because we were all struggling to lead a small group. The seven us would meet to share our struggles and prayer requests and pray for one another and our small groups. It would typically last about 3 hours; be glad your sharing small groups don’t go that long 
The reason why we met and prayed was because we wanted to serve faithfully but were so woefully inadequate.
Skill and dependence are inversely proportionate in my life. That year I lacked much skill. I didn’t know how to lead a Bible Study, talk to members (I would make them cry), or handle difficult situations. The one thing I did know how to do was pray. That was the year I prayed the most. But now, I have some idea of how to lead a Bible Study, I can better counsel members and can handle difficult situations. All at the cost of my prayer life. I started depending more on my skills than on God.
I realized that this past Lent. I put too much stock in myself and not enough trust in God. I wanted the faith and heart I had when I first started leading. I was convicted to get back to the basics. At SOIL I was reminded again. And again last night at Wed. LG. I may have increased in skill, and knowledge, and wisdom but have I increased in faith and dependence and trust? Has my heart grown in pace with my head and my hands? I want the passion and the fire I once had.
Bring the fire of Your Spirit,
Return the passion of my youth,
That I may burn for You,
That I may burn for You,
Set my heart ablaze, that I may burn for You.
-Bread of Life