I feel like I have heard every argument in the book as to why I should never go into ministry.

"Oh, you're not religious enough for it" or "You realize Christianity is a dying religion, right?" or "There is absolutely no money in that job" and even "Sweetie you're so smart, you would be wasting your time on something like that".

I want to assure them, yes I am "religious" enough, Christianity will not die out, I'm not selecting my future around how much money I want, and devoting my life to God and the church is not a waste of time.

I know what I mean when I say, "I want to be a parish minister one day". I remember back in the eighth grade, one of my teachers told me that your future and your passions root deeply from those who inspire you. I wasn't sure what exactly he meant until I recognized the unconditional� love and support my church family has for me, and also, the love I have for them. They have been by my side during my darkest times, some of my most difficult months when family is ill, but also, they have been there for my accomplishments and my happiest points in life. They have always been a set of open arms or an endless library of wisdom.

I have always looked up to the pastors in my life. Whether it be the pastor I see in the pulpit every Sunday, the pastor who directed a camp that I counseled for, the pastor who gave bible studies whenever I was a camper, or even the pastors who lead annual meetings for the denomination I am a part of. I look up to each and every one of them, and they always encourage me to be the best person I can be. I see what their job can entail and the multitasking experts they need to be and it inspires me endlessly. Even though in one day they may need to contact several different people, sort together some of Sunday worship, have lunch with the quilting circle, hang up signs for vacation bible school, help a man who just got out of prison get a hotel room for the night until someone can pick him up, and even manage hospital visits all in one day, they do it all with a full heart. Most of all, they are always there to help you when you need it. To be a listening ear, to assist when times are difficult or you are grieving, to be there when life is going very well and be happy with you, and still do it all for the glory of God. All I ever want to do is devote my life to spreading the word of God, to help where I can, and help build a congregation to be a loving family in Christ's body. I believe that God has put me through challenges to find my strengths and weaknesses, my talents and the skills I need to work on, but also to show me that his plan is to keep me in a house of worship.

I would never be the person I am today if it wasn't for the church. They built me and molded me to be kind, helpful, loving, understanding, open minded, faithful, and responsible, just as God wants me to be. I am forever grateful for the people in my life that God has given me, for the directions he has pushed me in, for guiding me through my roughest points, and for gifting me with all the inspiring workers of Christ that I am surrounded by every day.

So every time I hear "Really? Ministry? I don't know how good of an idea that is." I wish that they could feel what I feel. I feel that God is calling me to be a leader of worship, to spread the word of God, to spread the good news of Christ, to be there to support a grieving family, to be a helping hand to those in need, to strengthen a congregation, and overall be the disciple of Christ that I want to be. I don't want to be an engineer and I don't care about how much they make a year. I would be miserable if I became a doctor, lawyer, or business person, because that is not God's plan for me. I want to be happy, and love each and every day that Our Heavenly Father gives me. I am so blessed to have pastors as mentors and I want to be that mentor for someone else in the same way. I want to be the leader, the advice giver, the listening ear, the frazzled and busy decision maker, and the role model that the pastors in my life are.

Yes, I want to go into ministry.