About a week ago, my oldest daughter, Emily, graduated from High School. It was a proud moment for Stacy and me. Mixed in with the pride was a bit of melancholy. Thinking of her being away at college, and not at home brings about feelings I don't think any Father can adequately prepare for. However, I'm not worried about her. She knows who she is. She knows whose she is. And she knows that God has her best interest at heart (Jeremiah 29:11). At her graduation ceremony, one of the student speakers did a great job reminding her classmates that they are prepared to go out and make life happen. In other words, their world had been shaped and changed by their High School experience. Now is the time for them to shape and change the world they'll encounter after High School. And I'm sure they will.
Speaking of changing the world. We were on vacation during the graduation celebration week. I read a book Emily had read called The Hunger Games (I've since read it's sequel, and I am finishing the last of the trilogy). The Hunger Games is a futuristic story about a young girl named Katniss, who seems to have been chosen by forces beyond her control to lead a rebellion against an evil system. No spoiler alert here. I just wanted to mention the book because there are important themes in it that warrant inspection and reflection. This young woman is fearless, and her fighting spirit offers hope to OTHERS. I recommend these books for young readers and for older readers who want to fight like young warriors again.
Speaking of young warriors. Earlier this week, in observance on Memorial Day, The History Channel aired a show called Gettysburg. I watched it with my Son, Graham. In addition to being repulsed by the evil industry of slavery, and reminded of the horrors of war, I was struck by how many young men lost their lives in those brutal battles. Thousands of young men fought, bled, and died without having had the chance at making their dreams come true. But they were brave. Man were they brave. Those soldiers would risk their lives just to keep the flag flying, or to help a wounded brother from the battlefield. I hope Graham grows up to be a true warrior who fights for justice. We need more young men like that. Young men who answer a call to risk their own wellbeing for the wellbeing of OTHERS. Young men who lead others into the fray, fearless in their pursuit to bring down strongholds of Satan. Not with guns so much as guts.
Speaking of young men with guts. Two of my friends, (Thijs Arens & Andrew Smith) are going on mission trips this summer with The Salvation Army. Thijs is headed for the Dominican Republic, and Andrew will be in India. We're having a House Concert this Saturday night to raise funds for their missions. We hope to raise a good amount of cash for them, but we also hope it's a night of celebration. We want to celebrate their boldness & obedience. We want to celebrate them giving up whatever else they would've done this summer to consider the interests of people they've never met and might never see again (this side of eternity). We want to celebrate two young adults (and many more who will be serving on other teams) who will be serving, following and leading this summer.
Speaking of leading. What does all of this have to do with a leadership blog? Here it is...
1. If you are a young person or young adult reading this, be bold! (I Timothy 4:12) You don't have to wait until you're 30 to lead something revolutionary. In fact, if you wait until you're 30, it will most likely be too late.
2. If you are an over 30 ministry leader reading this; What younger person are you mentoring? What younger person's advice are you seeking? What younger person are you putting in places of leadership (regardless of what those even older than you might think)?
3. Why does there always have to be three points. That's so old.
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