An encouraging story about myself

[Matthies]

Hello all, i told this story to some brothers, and they encouraged me to write it here for others to see, so hopefully it would make you all meditate on your own choices in life coming up. I do not like boasting about my ''spiritualness'' so please dont take it that way. But i know alot of people might find it hard to picture themselves making big sacrifices for a theocatic career.

I was baptized in March 2023, we just got a new circuit overseer, and we really got along quite quickly. When i was baptized i asked Jehovah one simple question: ''What do i have to do with my life?''. Since my baptism Jehovah has seemingly given me a spirit to pioneer, because i have wanted to do nothing more than preach and talk with people about Jehovah. It went pretty suddenly and before, i really did not like service alot. A few months after i was baptized we had a part about special pioneers during the midweek meeting. My circuit overseer visited our cong during that week and i actually went in service with him. He told me ''Usually when videos like that pop up, circuit overseers try to assess who could perhaps grow towards SKE, bethel etc. Have you honestly ever considered such a career? Because i think you could definitely do it''. He told me he spent 16 years of his life working full time before going to SKE and becoming a circuit overseer, i was and am currently a chemistry student at uni right now. Hearing from him his regret for no starting sooner before in his life really made me think about my own choices. It definitely solidified my desire to attend SKE, i would have genuinely declared myself crazy if my pre-baptism self could see me right now. 1,5 years after i was baptized i became a servant in my local congregation. I decided to give Jehovah something in return so i went Auxi pioneering for 4 months last summer. I had my own field service meeting, and very quickly i was blessed with two bible studies, one of which has moved away since but we are still in contact. I honestly became a little depressed knowing i had to return to school but my heart was sold since that summer. I am now graduating soon and intending to start pioneering immediately after. I am really glad that my circuit overseer spoke with me that day. It definitely changed something. I also met an amazing sister who is already pioneering and shares the same goals i have, which was definitely a blessing from Jehovah at the time. She has helped me alot throughout this process along with Jehovah.

 

For all of you that think you could never achieve those goals. Trust me, you can. Surrounding yourself with people that share in that zeal really motivate you to do the same. Alot of my friends have since also started pioneering. They have completely changed as people, and i am so gratefull for them. 

 

Anyone else have any stories about their experiences with this? Or advice for when i do actually start pioneering? Would love to hear from you all. I appeciate some feedback.

Edited November 6 by Matthies

[Matthies]

I would like to mention again. I really do not want to give the idea that i am better than alot of other people, but i just wanted to share my story so others can perhaps see themselves in my story, and it can help them think about their future in Jehovah's organmisation, like the circuit overseers story helped me see a future in the organisation. Sharing experiences really helps one another, which is why i would love to hear your stories.

[Dages]

It's encouraging.
Our CO has insisted a lot on the goal of the SKE and the Bethel for young brothers.

[Patience87]

Thank you for sharing your story. It's very encouraging! Pioneering is the best thing that ever happened to me. It will change your life. You will gain friends you didn't have before. You will draw close to Jehovah. Your knowledge and love of the Bible will increase. Your outlook on life completely changes to being more spiritual and your life revolves around Jehovah and his organization. I cannot say enough good things about pioneering! It was the only thing that ever made me happy in this system.

 

I will be honest and say I was one of those people who never wanted to pioneer. I auxiliary pioneered a few times years ago when I was much younger and I did not enjoy it and remember always feeling like I couldn't wait until the month was over. But I always knew that pioneering should be a goal, and it bothered me that I did not have the desire.

 

I came across a saying once that stuck with me. “If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse”

So I found lots of excuses. Years passed, but then I started to hang out with sisters who were pioneers and the only way to spend time with them was to go out in service. We had such good times and spiritual conversations. It really whet my appetite.

 

Well out of the blue, I was let go from my long-time job and my last excuse was gone. I took the leap, turned in a slip for auxiliary pioneering for a month and prayed to Jehovah very hard that I really want to do enjoy it, and that I wanted to continue after that month and progress to regular pioneering. That prayer was answered. Nine months later I started regular pioneering.

 

I highly encourage everyone to try it at least once, because then you will truly taste and see that Jehovah is good! 

[jdcarlson]

My Dear Brother Matties:

 

You are to be congratulated for your fine example.

 

If you continue to make "theocratic goals" and "advancing Kingdom interests" the center of your life, you will not regret it.

 

I have known many older ones (i.e., age 80 and above) who have spent their lives in an intense part of advancing Kingdom interests (one cousin spent 50 years in the Circuit and District work with her husband until he died), a couple who lived next door to me for some years me spent an equal number of years doing the same things. Talking to all four of them, they would not change anything. They would not want anything to have turned out differently. I have others, family and close friends, who had similar privileges.

 

None of these would have wanted anything different. They believe their lifes are (or were while they were alive) worthwhile. They spent their lives doing everythig they could to "advance Kingdom interests." To them their lives have (or had while they were alive) meaning.

 

As things turned out, I was privileged to do temporary work at the legal departmeht at Bethel. Over the years, I managed to accumulate 16 weeks of "temporary Bethel service" on site at Bethel. There were some projects I was able to work on from home for the brothers at Bethel, so, even though I was not "physically" there, I was still looking for what I could do.

 

Those years when I had the privilege of working with the brothers at Bethel were the spiritual high point in my life. Even though I was in Pensacola, I remember standing in the shower in the morning thinking "what can I do today to advance kingdom interests."

 

Those years when I had the privilege of assisting the Bethel brothers (whether at Bethel, or from home) were the happiest years of my life. 

 

At age 80 I am no longer in a position to do the things I did in the past. But I still look back fondly at the memories of when I could be of assistance. I still remember the first Sunday night (February 1989)when I arrived at Bethel to start my "temporary" work, thinking that "I was there, at Jehovah's House, where the important things were happening, not as a tourist or a student, but to do my best work while I was there to advance kingdom interests."  It was almost as if I could "feel" the prayers of the members of the Bethel Family rising to Jehovah at the end of their day.  I had a hard time going to sleep that night.

 

For the best life of spiritual fulfillment, continue on the course your have started. SKE, and other things, may not come immediately, but they will come if you sincerely apply youself to theocratic pursuits.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

[Doug]

22 hours ago, Matthies said:

Hello  My circuit overseer visited our cong during that week and i actually went in service with him. He told me ''Usually when videos like that pop up, circuit overseers try to assess who could perhaps grow towards SKE, bethel etc. Have you honestly ever considered such a career? Because i think you could definitely do it''. He told me he spent 16 years of his life working full time before going to SKE and becoming a circuit overseer,  Hearing from him his regret for no starting sooner before in his life really made me think about my own choices. 

 

The power of a little personal attention cannot be overstated.

 

From my 50 years in the truth, I would say it's much, much too rare.  Of course, that may be me, not being viewed as someone who "could definitely do it".

 

I celebrate this metamorphosis with you, Matthies.  ❤️