Today I turned 30...
I am getting pretty old... Stop rolling your eyes, when you are always surrounded by teenagers, 30 feels ancient. Being a youth pastor, I make a living teaching and giving advice to young people. So on the occasion of my 30th birthday, I will give my 15 year old self advice... with the benefit of hind sight of course...
Just so we are clear, I stole this exercise from Campus Life:
Dear Fifteen Year Old Me,
It's me, or should I say it's you... fifteen years from now. Without giving too much away, you are a youth pastor in a small town in Nebraska. Stop laughing... it's not funny! Whatever don't believe me, you'll see. Anyway, I have some advice for you, that I hope to you take to heart over the next fifteen years.
1) You are NOT the master of your own destiny, the captain of your own ship. God is sovereign over you and your life. Keep him at the center, He is the only one who will never leave you nor forsake you.
2) Don't let anger get the best of you. Realizing that God is in control (total control) and casting your cares on him will help you keep anger in check. He really is faithful and will not let you fall.
3) Pursuing wealth sucks. It adds to your anxiety and is pointless. You will travel and have many adventures all around the world, but when you pursue wealth (ironically so you can travel and have adventures), your life will become stagnate.
4) Stay out of debt (especially with the IRS, they are mean), not by making tons of money, just don't buy useless crap.
5) Take pictures and journal so you can remember places, people, things, victories, failures, and through the whole thing see the hand of God.
6) God is the Grand Story Teller. Stop trying to write your own story, let Him do it. When we focus on Him, we can hear the the strokes of his pen in our hearts.
Well that what I have for you. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Oh, one more thing, you really aren't that good at Water Polo.
Love,
Pastor RJ (stop snickering, I'm serious)
No comments:
Post a Comment