Five for Life
I wrapped up the series For the Boys once I stopped leading them each week after they reach their senior year. But I saw the opportunity to meet with them one last time before they scattered for college. So, this blog covers what I wanted to tell my “9th grade boys” that night. I had a dream that I had a really great speech to give them, but I woke up without a written copy. I’m sure this nor the live event will match my dream the other night, but I thought maybe with some prep I can be effective.
The only thing that matters is your salvation.
There are many things this world will present as important, but the only lasting impact on anyone is whether they are saved or not. You should use this to empower you to follow the call of God. Whether it is to live the life of a missionary, to live the life of a corporate CEO, or anything imaginable, or beyond. Success or failure in this world are immaterial compared to the salvation from Christ.
The only thing you have is your salvation.
The world will push you to have things. Girls, Money, Fast Cars, etc. But regardless of how much worldly possessions you accumulate, not only is it actually God’s for you to steward, it can, and will, be taken away. So do not chase things, but pursue the call of God.
The only job you have is to glorify God.
While it is true that you will have a job and have a boss and if lucky enough will be working to support your family, the only reason you are still on earth is to glorify God. God does not need you for any worldly things. He can use you, and He wants to use you, but He only wants to use you for things that will glorify Him. If the opportunity before you does not glorify God, it is not for you.
The best way to glorify God is to tell your story.
God has made me special. He has made me for those things that I can do to glorify Him. I have known this since I was little. But I have also known that every single living being was made special by God for His purpose. Your whole life has been to accumulate stories of how God has impacted you so that you might share them when the time is right. Do not rush out to witness on the corner unless He has called you specifically to that. But do tell everyone you know everything that Jesus has done for you. There was no other purpose for the pain, the sorrow, and the joy that has been your life.
God has provided help for your story.
The image I have in my head is when I would go back to San Angelo, each Sunday I would look for our old Scout Master to thank him again for all he did for us boys growing up. The funny thing is, he was never my scout master. He retired before I was old enough. But I could see the impact he had on the boys and men ahead of me, and I learned from him when ever he did come around. I want to tell you that I am here to help you live your story. I know you have your friends and parents and everyone else, and I do not want any credit, but know that I was called to help lead you guys on Sundays for three years, but I can still do so at any time.
Anyone who is not one of these boys and reads this, my hope is that I can help you with your story in some way. Obviously, I hope to help my girls who read this, and my friends, but at some level, I hope this helps others too, and maybe that other person I can help in other ways is you.