Do You Wanna Ride?

In so many of my prior blogs my thoughts are sequential, streamlined, organized, deliberate and ultimately arrive at a destination; however anyone who truly knows me, knows that my thoughts are random, haphazard and when truly expressing myself, I can change lanes without giving a signal, so fasten your seatbelt and sit back and come and take a ride with me in my mind…

I recall from a child that in December the major networks would air all of their Year in Review programming where they would recount the major events of the year. Lately this year I have been in a reflective space this year recounting my successes and struggles of the year. I read prior blogs from earlier this year where I asked God specifically for tangible maturation within our youth ministry this year and God as usual has exceeded my expectation. I have listened and watched the spiritual growth and evolution of our young people in countless manifestations. Young people have pursued God this year with reckless abandon and dealt with the realities of being in the presence of God, how no flesh can glory in His presence, and how God’s light reveals areas of us that aren’t like Him in an attempt to shape us and make us in His image, ultimately when God looks at us, He should see a reflection of Himself. I am invigorated by countless conversations, emails and texts from young people sharing their triumphs and adversities. This year has brought for our young people, new educational endeavors, new career moves, relationships that have developed and deteriorated, the development of individual and corporate ministries. (I can’t wait to reinstitute Commissioned, a class where we train youth and young adults for all types of ministry…look out for that in the 09!!!) All of the various mountains and valleys of 2008 have been stretched and strengthened.

Personally, I am so grateful that I get to (not have to) travel the United States and Canada to help young people unlock the greatness that resides within themselves. This year I have been afforded the opportunity to share the word of God at several youth conferences, churches, but ultimately, keep it real, there is no place like home. The hunger from the congregation at the Cov pulls the word out of you, not just on Youth Sundays, but Christian Education, worship and arts workshops, all night prayers, and the list continues. Instead of complaining about what I don’t perceive as right and what I don’t have, I am choosing to be thankful for what I do have.

At the end of the day (I can’t believe I used that phrase I can’t stand it, but at the end of the day, I guess it sums things up) Jesus is it for me; he is the only constant amidst a fluctuating world. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus is the fulcrum of the seesaw we call life.

As I am thinking about Jesus, I had a thought today about relationships, and what I can’t stand are couples that aren’t proud to be with each other, as if they are ashamed of one another. It is a trick of the enemy to constantly make one desire what they don’t have. The person you choose to be with is simply a reflection of you. With that said, I have to ask, how many times have I denied Christ and not claimed Him in my life? How many times have I prayed faster because others were watching in public, not prayed at all in private? Tried to blend so I wouldn’t have to deal with the pressure of standing out, placed God on hold, but never clicked back over? Now I am reaffirming my love for him, not merely with my words, but with my life.

The end of the year always makes come to grips with the fact that we are another year, month, week, day, hour closer to the return of Jesus Christ. It is incumbent upon us that we keep this in the forefront of our minds. It causes or lives to be lived with proper perspective. As I prepare for 2009 I am going to embrace the last few weeks of 2008. I am speaking in Los Angeles and Sacramento on December 28th and I am working on a message that deals with how change is created by a Decision, a Declaration, and A Duty. First we must decide that we desire change. Second we must clearly and identify what path to take to instigate change, and finally a Duty, a responsibility and commitment will bring it to pass.

All right I am rambling, so I will pull over…