|
|
Friday, June 03, 2005
It's time for graduation ceremonies in my commmunity. There are several local high schools, some bigger than others, that each hold them in an arena designed for a college basketball team. It's usually a bittersweet time for me.
It's exciting to see teenagers I've enjoyed getting to know be so excited about this milestone in their lives. They are occasions well worth the "pomp and circumstance" and cakes and gifts that come their way. They've worked hard and a night to celebrate them and their accomplishments seems appropriate.
On the other hand, I have to get out of a comfort zone.
See, these students set a tone for my work. I'd imagine it's just like an athletic team or band or drama group that involves teenagers. They come in young and then over a four year period their gifts and talents shine through and you just get used to them being there. The group tends to take on the personality of the older ones, too. If they're loud...or serious...or cut-ups...whatever, the rest of the group tends to follow their lead.
And when they graduate and move on to the college ministry I get to see the other side of the equation: The new class of freshmen comes in.
They are tentative but excited. They want to be there but have no idea how they'll be treated or whether or not they'll be accepted or loved or hated or if they have to fit molds or do they wait to be themselves or what. It's a confusing time for them...but they're glad to be high-schoolers now, even if it means the bottom of the totem pole for a year. That seems to be better than the top of the totem pole for middle school.
And this is the verse that I share with both sides of my ministry...The new seniors as well as the incoming freshman class: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
Sure, these were the words of Paul to the young pastor Timothy who was dealing with doctrinal dangers in his church and some lack of leadership and some other things, but the principles apply to us today.
First, youthfulness is not necessarily a bad thing. Timothy was probably in his mid to late 30's...but that would've been hard in some ways in the church. The older men didn't necessarily feel like following the young man, but Paul tells him that "youth"...in and of itself...isn't the focus or issue.
The issues are:
Speech. The things he says. I'm a firm believer that the things people say reveal what is going on in their hearts...their spiritual lives. And that's one way that both the seniors and the freshmen can learn. We could all be more encouraging and gracious in the things we say.
Conduct. How you act. Again, it reveals where your spiritual life is at. There's a time and place for everything under the sun, from laughing to dancing to yelling to crying to mourning to stillness. You have to know what time is appropriate for any given situation. So, how you act is an important indication of your growth and wisdom.
Love. Looking out for others and their very best interests. I can't imagine a senior treating a freshman poorly, or "initiating" them or whatever. It's an honor that God would trust the older ones with such precious people, and loving them is the best way to ensure they will have every chance to respond to that love.
Faith. It's easier to tell people about the spiritual life than it is to live it. We all have these self-doubts and insecurities that all the other kids seem to be "getting" the "Jesus thing" and I don't. Because of that, there can be a tendency to fake it...especially since the younger ones are merely imitating the older ones in some cases, and they might be faking it, too. So Paul tells us that our genuine faith walk is what we should put out there for others to see. That includes the good stuff and the ugly stuff.
Purity. A lifestyle of righteousness in every area. Of course, this means we need to be people who are analyzing our lifestyles constantly. Evaluating every situation. Taking every thought captive. The whole deal. Living righteously whether we're walking down the hallway at school, or swimming with friends, or singing together at church. Purity.
All these things will be seen by others...that's why we're to be examples of faithful believers. The younger ones will be watching. So will the older ones.
So, if you're younger, what fears did you have coming into the ministry? What excites you about it? If you're older, answer the same question with what you remember feeling and experiencing at that staion in life. Also, if you're older, what excites you about this incoming class?
Brent 4:24 AM
|