(Below is an email I sent out to my small group on January 26, 2009)
"In order to get what you have never had, you must do what you have never done." - Unknown
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness.'"
-Matthew 25:23
Hello Everyone!
We had some very productive and thought-provoking discussion on Sunday evening! We talked about a hard standard to live up to. Not so long ago, much more was expected of young people than is expected today. Truth be told, young people expected more of themselves. It occurred to us that there is a vicious cycle of low expectations--No one expects anything of us, so we do nothing. We do nothing, so no one expect anything of us. Well, someone has to break that cycle, and sitting around waiting for 'someone else' to take that first step is the exact opposite of what we are called to do. God expects much more of us.
"'Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD."
-Jeremiah 1:5 & 6
"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
-1 Timothy 4:12
Every great journey starts with one small step. Our journey to adulthood, and to becoming God's agents of change in this world has to start somewhere. And it may have to start very small. In The Fellowship of the Ring, when Frodo and Sam start off together on their quest, they come to a point at the edge of one farmer's land where Sam stops dead in his tracks. Frodo turns to him and asks, "What is it Sam?" Sam answers, "This is it; if I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." Frodo walks back to him, takes him by the arm, and with a small smile says, "Come on." And the journey begins. If you've seen The Return of the King, you know just how essential Sam's single step was to the rest of the story.
It may seem moderately ridiculous to begin living an extraordinary life by doing such ordinary things as making our beds, finishing our homework on time, and obeying/respecting our parents. Those things may seem mundane... boring... unworthy of our time and effort. But that's where it starts, just as a body-builder started with a single push-up and a pop star started with do-re-mi. Perhaps God hasn't revealed to you the purpose of your life just yet, but he has given you a few 'small' things to strive towards while you wait for the big reveal.
I'll be praying for you all, and will see you at small group again in 2 weeks... and maybe at the Super Bowl party this coming Sunday. God bless.
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