Steph and I were discussing teenagers yesterday over dinner and came to a fairly complex conclusion: their stupid. Well, most of them anyway. Maybe that's not fair to say they are stupid, but rather that they spend their time on stupid things. I say this more as a reflection on my own teenage years than as an accusation against any particular teenager I currently know. As I told Steph, I think I could remove ages 12-17 with very few problems. After all, what did I spend my time doing? I watched a lot of tv and read very few books. I bought myself plenty of junk (most of which I have sold since!) and gave very little to others. I spent hours upon hours in mindless activities giving no thought to the orphan and the widow. In short, I was selfish.
Now, I say this not to wallow in regret but to hopefully encourage myself to greater things in my life today. Its not that those things weren't important to me in my younger years, I just thought it wasn't my job to do that stuff, at least not yet. I still find that thought nagging in my mind. When I am older and have more time I'll really be able to pitch in more at Church. When my career settles down, then I'll take my wife out regularly and show her just how important she is to me. When I just have a little more money, then I'll be able to give cheerfully. I keep putting obedience off and my fear is that I will look back wondering why I did not grab hold of the opportunities of today.
Scripture is filled with the exhortation to be obedient today. "Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts." "Behold, now is the acceptable time, today is the day of salvation." "Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself." Those are just a few I'm sure. It seems that in God's eyes the only day I have to be obedient is today. Today is a responsibility, the ultimate responsibility, what will I do with it?
So, let each dawn bring with it a renewed sense of urgency. Today is the day I will follow Christ. Today is the day of salvation. Redemption is here... now! Let me lay hold of the Kingdom and live under the reigning King, the King of each day, hour and moment. Let me prepare, but let me serve while I prepare. Let me wait patiently, but let me be joyful and bear fruit while I wait. Let me love in each moment like it is the most important moment I will ever have not because of the circumstances of the day but because each day is a gift, a gift that didn't have to be given to me.
"We are bruised and broken masterpieces, but today we have today."- Switchfoot
This is your sister stalking your blog (hope that's not creepy, but hey, you did put it on the internet). While I agree with most of what you wrote, I would completely disagree that you were selfish as a teenager, and you know I always feel it my duty to be argumentative and set the record straight. As I remember it, you were an amazingly wonderful, loving, selfless uncle to my baby boy, watching him while I struggled my way through school - he's the person he is today in large part because of the values you helped to inculcate in him during those early years, and I am eternally grateful for all that you did for him (and me) while you were still a teenager yourself. So that's all - just my two cents. And please give Stephanie and Holland my love.
ReplyDeleteVery beautifuly written. I do agree with Jenn that you were a good teenager ( I mean I did fall in love with you then). But you are right that we do keep putting things off for another day. I'll be able to help when I have more money, more time, etc. It is really something to think about and pray about.
ReplyDelete"the Present is the point at which time touches eternity" - C.S. Lewis ("The Screwtape Letters", letter XV)
ReplyDeletegood thoughts man! glad to have found you in the blogosphere!
Thanks for stopping by everyone.
ReplyDeleteSis- I guess I did do a few good things in my teenage years. I suppose I was thinking more of the endless hours of tv and video games. I think I just had a very small world at the point and didn't know all the opportunities that were around if I had only looked for them. I'm glad to have had a small part in helping Alex become the sweet young man he is. He is still very special to me and I pray for him often. Give him a hug for me.
Steph- we started dating at 17, which is why I said 12-17. I am glad you fell in love with me though! I think we all know you married me for my money though, HA!
Jeff- My blog's first C.S. Lewis quote! It has been christened.