Tonight, I for all intents and purposes said my goodbyes to the youth group I've helped with for two years. Now that I've had time to sit here and shower, relax, and get some music going on my spotify account, I've also had time to think. I'll still see most of them in my work with SOS this summer, but beyond that many I will not see again until our paths cross again with them as adults. There are things to say to them all, that were not the right time to say as this night wasn't about me but was about them saying goodbye to their youth director who has served them so faithfully for years. Without further ado, I offer words to the youth I've grown to love and appreciate so much.
Ladies, You are all beautiful Godly women. As you all grow up and head to college, you will be tempted to find affirmation from men for how beautiful, smart, charming, or athletic you are. Ignore the praises of men as they are in vain when you have a heavenly Father who has created you and deemed you "good".
Gentlemen, You are all great Godly men. You must live into what God has called for your lives. Treat the women in your lives (those whos relationship with you is romantic as well as those who are just friends) with the respect for the creations of God that they are. You are Princes of the Most High and have been called for HIS purposes not your own.
To all the youth. It has been my most esteemed pleasure to know you for the past two years. To watch you grow through the good and bad times has been simply outstanding. It is my time helping with you that I have realized God is still very well alive in the hearts of men and women seeking to serve him. I pray that you live into the lives God has called out for you. Remember out faith is not simply a race but a marathon. You don't always appear to be in the lead, but we know how the marathon ends ahead of time. The bumps and bruises along the way are just a part of it. Finally I leave you with two things. Wesley's 3 Simple Rules for Christian Living and Wesley's Covenant Prayer. May the 3 simple rules guide you in your daily life to become a better Disciple for Christ and show His love to the world. May you have the courage to pray the Covenant Prayer before yourself and God as a daily act of obedience to him and a way of dying to yourself daily.
3 Rules
1:Do Good
2: Do No Harm
3: Keep The Ordinances of God (worship, hearing and studying Scripture, Holy Communion, prayer, and fasting.)
Covenant Prayer (Modern English)
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your hope and service.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be made also in heaven.
Amen.
I love each and every one of you and intend to follow your achievements no matter how far apart we may all be. God Bless Number 6:24-26
