Being Faithful

I wonder what it’s like to be a teenager these days. I hear so many things from so many sources about what you guys face in this day and age. Is it all true, or partially true or true for some of you…I look forward to finding out. One thing that does aggravate me, though, is how many people put pressure on you to, “change the world…make a difference…dream big…anything is possible…” and so on. Isn’t that such a huge burden? Can you really change the world? Are we called to change the world? I remember being a youth and getting starry-eyed over statements like this. “Yes, I can change the world. Yes, I can dream big and do anything I want!” But then the reality would kick in days, months and years later and I would be left disillusioned and discouraged. “Did I let God down? Did I fail as a Christian? Where do I go now?” While I don’t doubt that these messages are somewhat true, I would like to propose a new challenge for today’s generation: BE FAITHFUL. Lately I have been pondering the beauty of faithfulness. There is something elegant and simple in being faithful to God in the small things. Instead of trying to convert you’re whole high school how about you try and be faithful to God with your friends in the way you talk, act and live. Take a look at Hebrews chapters eleven and twelve. The author is talking about people of faith, in essence, people who were faithful to God. In the midst of facing our own sin and brokenness, trials and persecution, the author of Hebrews says this: “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Living the Christian faith is like running a long, long, race. It takes regular practice, patience, endurance and above all…you guessed it, faithfulness. There will be days when you don’t feel like getting up for that morning practice or going for long runs but we are encouraged to look to Jesus who was above all was FAITHFUL to his Heavenly Father in his life, on the cross and in the mission he lived out on this planet. Being Faithful…are you up for it?