Senior Night

We recently had Senior Night at The Link...where our graduating seniors have a chance to encourage the rest of the youth group in what they've learned, something to spur them on, words of wisdom, Scripture, etc. They represented the faithful as they sat on stage & shared...it was a very bittersweet night for me to say the least. Adam & I, as the senior small group leaders, had a chance to challenge/encourage our students as well...here is what I told them:

*Hebrews 12:1-2 "...let us also lay aside every weight, & sin which clings so closely & let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder & perfecter of our faith..." I wanted them to understand that this is a long-distance race, not a sprint. And that evil always lies close at hand...they need to actively "throw aside" those weights & sins that are so easy to get attached to...& have the Lord insist on the their best. That God would not let up on them until they have gone the distance...being molded & used by Him along the way.

*2 things I proposed to them as they move on in their future:

-Be a blessing. Live out your love (Live Love)...for God first, then others. Let love compel all that you do. Life is not about you...so go, be a blessing.

-Decide what you want most in life. Hopefully, that would be to please the Lord above all else...to fulfill His purpose for you. Sometimes we get mixed up in our priorities of what we really want in life...job, status, relationships, friendships, money, success, etc....while some of those things aren't all bad...they can so quickly & easily disappoint. They can fail. But God will NEVER disappoint, He will NEVER fail. So all you are needs to go all to Him first & pleasing Him first be THE priority.

I talked about funny & more serious things I have gone through with the 8 that were there: holding their hand through surgeries, boy/girl problems, family stuff, bad hair-dye jobs, getting in trouble for taking them "out of town" & not telling their parents...lots of laughter & tears but moslty awesome memories. And my girls...wow. Their faithfulness, their love of the Lord & for people, they are so fun, they let me be me, encourage & challenge me to be a better me, teach me, they support me, spur me on. They are incredible. They are God's gift & blessing to me! They are what makes me passionate about doing what God has called me to do.