Many of us think about the past and what we would change if we could. I can't change anything, but I do know what I would change. I was a junior in high school in 2009, and I didn't stray from my faith or anything, but I would say that 2009 held many of my deepest regrets. If I could write a blunt and totally honest letter to myself, this is what it would say. Perhaps you can learn from my mistakes.
Dear self,
It's me, well...you. I'm am writing to you on Sept. 15, 2012. I want to let you know what you are about to do. Playing football was fun, right? You're knee is going to poop out, so I hope you had fun pretending to be a tough guy. You've been a Christian for about 3 years now, and you think you've got it together. Allow me to tell you how wrong you are.
You are the equivalent of a spiritual toddler, and you are going to make some toddler-esque mistakes. You think that you have to get out of high school so that you can pursue the "real thing."You're desire is to give up some of the potentially most fruitful ministry opportunities you will ever get. While you are worried about going to Ozark and experiencing "real Christianity" you are missing everything important.
You are self-righteous, pretentious, and easily indignant and jaded. Your piety and zeal are misplaced at best. While you turn your nose up at your peers, they are dying. And your youth group? You think you're leading them, but they aren't being discipled. Your dear friends are going to hit a wall in college and many of them will fall hard. If only you could re-focus!
Stop looking down and your classmates and show them the love of Christ! You are showing them that Jesus doesn't want anything to do with them, and that they are unworthy to be in your presence. You have to be more intentional with your friends because you are going to regret it later if you don't. If you only knew where some of your friends are headed... You are going to try and make up for lost time next year, but you will have burnt too many bridges and disconnected with too many people. You are going to toss away the time and ministry that God has granted you...I beg you, don't do it.
The good news is that the beautiful girl you are dating is going to be your wife someday. You are going to love it! However, you have to prepare yourself now. You have to stop looking at that crap on the internet, because you're going to have to tell her one day and it will break her heart. Ironic...looking down on your peers for being promiscuous, then you go and consume that same thing on the internet. You know why? Deep down you are jealous that you don't get to do the stuff they're doing, so you make believe. You are making wounds on your heart that take a long time to heal. Ask God to renew your mind, because you are a hypocrite.
Don't let anyone tell you that you are being too serious, because that is horrible advice. You aren't serious enough. You don't understand the seriousness of your actions (or lack of). You aren't just acting grown-up, don't worry what people say. You may be weird, but you aren't acting. You do need to enjoy your short years in high school more, but you do need to remember that you are fighting for lost souls, and that isn't a game.
Strengthen your friends! Sam and Eric will stay your best friends and will fight at your side, encourage them every chance you get. Their faith will inspire you, but there is no reason that you three can't do big things now! You can do a lot more than you give yourself credit for. Stop waiting to start ministry; ministry started the second you accepted Christ. Stop pretending you are a martyr and get to work.
Fight for holiness, strive for Christ-likeness, and love people because they need to see it from you! You suck at empathy, so work on that. You are "wiser" now than I will ever be, but you are only wise in your own eyes. Love is what you need; not knowledge, training, or a change in scenery...you need Jesus, man. You aren't too mature to learn. Stay humble, stay hungry.
Sincerely, You (2012).
Dear self,
It's me, well...you. I'm am writing to you on Sept. 15, 2012. I want to let you know what you are about to do. Playing football was fun, right? You're knee is going to poop out, so I hope you had fun pretending to be a tough guy. You've been a Christian for about 3 years now, and you think you've got it together. Allow me to tell you how wrong you are.
You are the equivalent of a spiritual toddler, and you are going to make some toddler-esque mistakes. You think that you have to get out of high school so that you can pursue the "real thing."You're desire is to give up some of the potentially most fruitful ministry opportunities you will ever get. While you are worried about going to Ozark and experiencing "real Christianity" you are missing everything important.
You are self-righteous, pretentious, and easily indignant and jaded. Your piety and zeal are misplaced at best. While you turn your nose up at your peers, they are dying. And your youth group? You think you're leading them, but they aren't being discipled. Your dear friends are going to hit a wall in college and many of them will fall hard. If only you could re-focus!
Stop looking down and your classmates and show them the love of Christ! You are showing them that Jesus doesn't want anything to do with them, and that they are unworthy to be in your presence. You have to be more intentional with your friends because you are going to regret it later if you don't. If you only knew where some of your friends are headed... You are going to try and make up for lost time next year, but you will have burnt too many bridges and disconnected with too many people. You are going to toss away the time and ministry that God has granted you...I beg you, don't do it.
The good news is that the beautiful girl you are dating is going to be your wife someday. You are going to love it! However, you have to prepare yourself now. You have to stop looking at that crap on the internet, because you're going to have to tell her one day and it will break her heart. Ironic...looking down on your peers for being promiscuous, then you go and consume that same thing on the internet. You know why? Deep down you are jealous that you don't get to do the stuff they're doing, so you make believe. You are making wounds on your heart that take a long time to heal. Ask God to renew your mind, because you are a hypocrite.
Don't let anyone tell you that you are being too serious, because that is horrible advice. You aren't serious enough. You don't understand the seriousness of your actions (or lack of). You aren't just acting grown-up, don't worry what people say. You may be weird, but you aren't acting. You do need to enjoy your short years in high school more, but you do need to remember that you are fighting for lost souls, and that isn't a game.
Strengthen your friends! Sam and Eric will stay your best friends and will fight at your side, encourage them every chance you get. Their faith will inspire you, but there is no reason that you three can't do big things now! You can do a lot more than you give yourself credit for. Stop waiting to start ministry; ministry started the second you accepted Christ. Stop pretending you are a martyr and get to work.
Fight for holiness, strive for Christ-likeness, and love people because they need to see it from you! You suck at empathy, so work on that. You are "wiser" now than I will ever be, but you are only wise in your own eyes. Love is what you need; not knowledge, training, or a change in scenery...you need Jesus, man. You aren't too mature to learn. Stay humble, stay hungry.
Sincerely, You (2012).
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