Youth Un-Wasted

It's crazy to think that the school year is practically around the corner! Would someone like to tell me where summer went already? I'm assuming your church has probably already done their Vacation Bible School for the kids. Our new church that we started attending earlier this year, is holding theirs this week... in fact, it's an evening VBS all week, which makes it kinda cool for more parents to be involved without wreaking havoc on work schedule's and the like.

It has me reflecting on the importance and indeed the priority, of young people learning not only about the ways of God at a tender age, but the character and nature of God as well. That's an important distinction that one of my pastor's was careful to point out regarding Moses' life and the people of Israel. The nation knew His works, Moses knew Him.

I'll be the first to admit, my imperfection. Should anyone stand before to account for this truth about my life, it's probably my wife! I don't have it all together, as I've mentioned many times, on this site for the last three years. I try not to think too often about bad decisions, improper thoughts and statements of regret. Am I talking about 20 years ago or 20 hours ago?

Yes. Sadly.

Conversely, though, I don't want to the be the guy in the parable who prayed in gratitude that he wasn't as bad as the guy next to him. I look at myself, knowing full well, that while it would be easy to compare to others, I can only compare myself today to yesterday. And as I consider yesterday, those decisions, thoughts and words and deeds could have been astronomically worse than what they were. Were they horrible by the standards of others? Probably to some. But they were particularly horrible for me, because I knew better. Not because of my cranium knowledge, but because of my heart condition.

I look back upon my stupidity with a sense of gratitude for the remnant of faith that remained from my youth that somehow prevented me from outcomes worse than the consequences that I actually endured. Emotionally, relationally, spiritually, financially. Was it disaster? Yes. But nothing that God couldn't redeem.

And that's what I want for my kids and your kids. As parents and pastors, we don't and won't always agree with what they do. Ever. Well into adulthood, your kids will have you scratching your head and your parents will do the same to you.

I don't just want a remnant of faith that will keep and guard my kids. I want a foundation and building of faith within their lives and spirits that will not only withstand whatever the world throws against them as well as whatever self-implosion of their life that may occur; that even their foolishness would not be their demise nor destruction.

On this #youthPastorWednesday, pray for this generation of young people, and the parents and pastors who raise them. Pray for an unshakable foundation of faith to be established within their hearts, minds and souls. May the Word of truth and the Holy Spirit guide their steps, illuminate their paths and guard all that is within them. Pray God would help us to lead and train them well, despite all our faults, misgivings and imperfections.

For we are only made whole
Through the blood of Jesus Christ.
May we live our lives, un-wasted.
For the glory of God.

- PNC