Multimedia ministry is not always easy. There are those that think you need to do more, those that think you need to do less, those that don't understand the time it takes to produce a project with excellence, and those that recognize your labor only when you make a mistake. You spend hours trying to convince board members that the equipment you need to do your job is worth the investment. Sometimes, you are left wondering, 'Is this really what God wants me doing with my time? Is it really worth it? Am I really in His will?'

I want to encourage you that it is worth it. And at this time of year when many of us are overwhelmed with Christmas productions, perhaps we can take some encouragement from the Christmas story itself. The scripture reads, 'She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.' (NIV) Picture this: Mary gives birth to the Savior of the world, playing a crucial role in the redemption of all mankind. Yet, 'there was no room for them in the inn.' She (most likely) gave birth in a smelly, dimly-lit stable (you don't necessarily find the warm glow around the manger in scripture that we always see pictured). You can imagine the cold, uncomfortable floor, and the confusion of the animals adding to the distress of the situation.

There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that Mary was in the center of God's will for her life, perhaps more so than anyone else in history. Still, it was hard, it was inconvenient, and it required humility.

So be encouraged. You may encounter difficulties and struggles in your ministry that you will have to overcome. But that does not necessarily mean that you are outside of the will of God. Keep doing what God has called you to do - with all your heart. Your labor and perseverance will bear fruit, for you personally and for the kingdom!