Thinking back over what I prayed the night we launched our seniors into their next phase of life and wondering if I missed anything.
Here’s what I remember praying:
- That God would be with them
- That God would guide them and that they would follow His guiding
- That they wouldn’t graduate from “Being the Church” simply because they graduated high school
- That they would seek the foot of the cross when they make mistakes
- That they would live authentically before each other and Christ
- That their life would be a witness for the Kingdom of God
- and that they would continue to “take steps towards Christ”
Looking back, I missed lots in this simple prayer that REALLY mattes to me but I’m not too worried about it…here’s why!
What you pray over your seniors the ‘last night’ they’re in your ministry is only a SMAAAAAALLLL fraction of what really will have made an impact on their life. Not trying to diminsh that prayer, but it’s all the years before that ‘last’ night that matter ‘the most’.
So what if we looked at every moment we have with our students and make them count rather than wait until the ‘end’ of their time with us to say the things we really want to say.
In what ways can you carve out some time this week to be intentional about what you say to your students so that you don’t want until the last minute to say the things that you hope God does in their life.
I don’t know how to fully express my gratitude towards what GSM did for me over my four years in the group. I feel confident (though a little scared that I’m now in college off on my own) that I built a base for my faith through GSM and it ISN’T over. I know that those four years help me on a daily basis with the choices I make, the people i talk to and the attitude i convey. I know I’m not perfect and not every decision or step I take is going to be the right one and i may make some mistakes, but at least i see that those are mistakes and i’m not ignorant to the way I live my life. That’s really what GSM did for me; gave me a sense of who I am and should be through Christ, in and outside of the church. Life isn’t about living in the small bubble of youth group, but eventually breaking out of it and living the life God created you to live. Honestly, DC, I can’t express how important and life altering GSM has been for me. The ministry has really helped form the girl I am today. So thanks, and thank you for continuing to care for students and their lives built upon the word of God.
I thank God for you and the blessings you speak to the youth. You have given to them that that we have tried to teach you and I can see it. By the love that you show, and how you minister, not only to the kids, but everyone that you meet. Just know that I am blessed by the things that we have shared over the years. (POPS)
Ref: John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.