I wanted to provide a seminar for ministers under age 40 to help them see the importance of investing funds for retirement while they were still young. I also wanted to cover the subjects of life and disability insurance along with some key principles concerning church growth. I had just finished writing my book Let Your Church Grow and was anxious to share some ideas from the book.

So I invited two great friends Pastor Jeff Johnson, who has a great understanding on both investments and insurance and Pastor John Pollnow who understands the principles of helping turn first-time guests into second time attenders to join me. We set the date, designed the brochure, and offered the seminar at $25 which would include a nights lodging and meals for a Friday night and Saturday meeting. We limited the enrollment to 12 couples and expected there to be a big line. However, that did not happen.

Many things happened that seemed to prevent the advent from happening. A car accident, a staff person resigned unexpectedly, someone sick and other happenings. I was about ready to cancel the mini-get away when someone text me that they would like to come. Total attendance including presenters was 10. As we were having dinner together we all seemed to realize that this event was actually God planned. Because the group was small, we were much more able to invest in the lives of those that came. All 10 of us sensed that by the end of the conference, needs were met that could not have been met with a larger group.

Yes, it is God who turns our nighttime experiences into joyful daylight events. Weeping may be during your nighttime, but the sunlight of God’s presence can turn that frustration into exhilaration. Don’t let the weariness of your daily activities keep you from looking forward to the time of harvest in the near future.