The Time Is Now

If you have not already heard, we have been raising money for our new youth room. The construction process has already begun, and we are to the point now where we have to start painting, installing floor, gear, etc . This room is going to be something special because we’ve seen many challenges along the way and those come with any type of remodeling project. 

As I have been thinking about this room and the direction to go with it, I’ve had another thought roaming around for quite some time. This new change is great, but I believe that God has been showing me that the room is not the important part of all of this. The important part is that we see God’s vision for this youth group. That everyone involved (leaders, volunteers and young people) need to catch the same vision and run with it. We can spend so much time teaching God’s Word and doing incredible things for God, but if we are not following His direction, much of what we do as Christians is wasted. I’m not saying that if you do good things for Christ that it’s all pointless, but if you catch God’s vision, your life can have tremendous impact. 

Let me put it this way, if we live our lives expecting God to always be doing something for us rather than us truly serving Him, then we will not live very motivating lives. The reason for this is because we will always be thinking that God should be granting our vision for our lives, and when we don’t get that, we become discouraged; however, when we live our lives and trust God’s plan, then no matter what we do we will always live our lives with a passion and motivation for God (His Vision). 

So what is God’s vision for this youth group? Honestly, I’m seeking God for that and asking Him to reveal that to me more and more every day. Sure I know the direction I would like to go as a youth pastor, but sometimes I believe we need to make sure that we are in God’s perfect will. 

One thing I know that He is speaking to me about is the fact that there needs to be a lot more action. I can preach and tell people about God, but if there is no action involved then what good is it. As a youth group, we can hear God’s Word every Wednesday, but if there is no action, what impact are we going to have. We’ve done some great things as a youth group, but God is calling us to more, and we need to be ready for it. I’ll admit, I’m not always perfect, and I’ve made many mistakes along this journey, but I sure want to always have the desire to impact someone with my life. 

Let’s get ready for what God has in store. It’s up to us if we want to see change in our schools, change in our church, and change in our workplace. It’s up to you. 

Check out these verses from Romans 13:11-14 in the Message Bible. 

11-14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!