High Hopes for Livin'
Today our guest blogger, Pastor Draa Mackey, invites you to think about where you are in the present, based on your past, and how to move forward with hope for the future.
The sad reality is that you can’t change the past, but you can use your past experiences to help direct your future decisions.
As I look in the mirror, three lines materialize in my mind.
What in the world!
How am I twenty-six already?
How did I get to be this old?!
How am I twenty-six already?
How did I get to be this old?!
If you’re a teen, you’re probably rolling your eyes and thinking: “If I hear another comment from an adult about life’s brevity, I’m going to hasten their demise!” Did I guess correctly?
The reason I knew what you were thinking is that it seemed that every adult I knew said the exact same thing to me when I was a teenager! And I paid as much attention to it back then as I did to the Timbuktu Times or the Norwegian News Network (i.e. very little).
The reason I knew what you were thinking is that it seemed that every adult I knew said the exact same thing to me when I was a teenager! And I paid as much attention to it back then as I did to the Timbuktu Times or the Norwegian News Network (i.e. very little).
But! If you give me your attention for a handful of paragraphs, I’ll promise you one thing: in the words that follow, you’ll find hope. And older folks (older than me, that is): Don’t think you can skip this blog because it doesn’t apply to you. This post is meant to be universal, so if you are, will be, or ever have been a teen, or have teens in your life, you’ll find something relatable and applicable in the following thoughts.
1. Your status in high school does not define who you'll be in life.
Whether you’re labeled as the jock, the nerd, the preppy girl, the country girl, the cool car guy, the fitness freak, or the rebel, your label will fade shortly after graduation. Don’t let your status define who you are NOW; because once you lose that status, what will you be? Look, relating it to Scripture, if David solely found his status in being a shepherd, he would have never become a king. If Ruth saw herself as only a Moabite woman, she would have never followed Naomi, married Boaz, and wound up in the lineage of Christ. Don’t let others define who you are. Instead, find your identity in Christ and let Him make you who He wants you to be.
2. Decisions you make now will influence you and others for the rest of your lives, but don't beat yourself up when you make mistakes.
I can think of things I did in high school that I regret and am certainly not proud of, but life goes on. The sad reality is that you can’t change the past, but you can use your past experiences to help direct your future decisions. Think of the Apostle Paul. He lived half of his life persecuting and indirectly killing Christians; yet, during the second half of his life, God used him to directly and indirectly to lead millions to Christ, and pen almost a quarter of the New Testament. Paul mentions his struggle from coping with his past life, but he follows it up by saying, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching toward those things which are before” (Scripture reference). Decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life, but don’t live in the bondage of your mistakes. Use them to guide your future.
3. I know it's hard to believe, but Mom and Dad aren't trying to ruin your life.
Some of you are rolling your eyes (again) and debating whether to finish reading this blog! And, you know what? I feel for you! I remember being in your shoes. There were times I felt like my mom and dad were getting up in my grill about something, even if I hadn’t done anything wrong. I mean, a 10 p.m. curfew on a school night? Our parents’ sole purpose in life must be to ruin our lives!
But, as time went on, I began to realize something: Mom and Dad deserved more credit than I gave them (This stays between you and me, okay?). I’m learning that most parents figure out things as they go along. I don’t care if your mom or dad earned a PhD in child psychology—there are still terrifying unknowns in parenting! Like any true pioneer knows before embarking into the wilderness, mistakes and wrong turns will be made.
I don’t know the extent of your pain, but I’m learning the extent of God’s promises.
Maybe your parents never admit their mistakes and that’s what bothers you most. Maybe you’ve never heard your dad say the two words, “I’m sorry.” Maybe you’ve grown up in a broken home, so some of the comments I’ve made ring hollow. I don’t know the extent of your pain, but I’m learning the extent of God’s promises. David reminds us in Psalm 68 that God is the Father to the fatherless. Let that sink into your very soul. Most parents want what’s best for their kids. There may come a day when you look back and say, “Wow, Mom. Wow, Dad. You were right all along!” (For the most part, that is).
4. You are never alone in whatever you're experiencing. You always have Jesus Christ, and He'll always be enough.
I don’t know what you’re personally battling. I can only use my struggles as a reference point. Can I tell you a beautiful truth, though? Jesus understands. He knows and has experienced any difficulty you could ever face. Hebrews 4:15 says,” For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Depression, guilt, relationships, addictions, friends, the meaning of life—whatever you’re battling through, Jesus knows and cares. He wants to help you not only survive through it, but THRIVE through it. Go to Him first, because He’ll understand the most.
5. Don’t be afraid to dream, but always remember one thing: A dream is useless if it’s never made real. Make it happen. Don’t just dream. Do.
The novelist and poet Rudyard Kipling communicated this idea exceptionally when he penned the poem “If.” Check out the two opening lines: “If you can dream and not make dreams your master/ if you can think and not make thoughts your aim…” Cue the goosebumps! Access the entire poem HERE. Don’t simply be content as a dreamer. The world needs dreamers, yes, but what good is a dreamer if he or she never does anything about the dreams?
Hebrews 11:6 doesn’t say that God is a rewarder of them who diligently DREAM about Him. It says that God “is a rewarder of them that diligently SEEK Him.” Be a doer. Yes, dream, but follow through. And above all, keep God as your Number One. If you do that, your dreams and desires will start to align with the magnificent plan He has for you.
My prayer is that one or more of these thoughts have given you hope. If you’ve made it this far without skipping to the end, congrats! Now consider sending this blog to a friend or teen wrestling with some of these issues. You never know what God will use to radically and eternally change someone’s life. Let Him use you as a conduit.
Our mission at Reasons for Hope is to train and equip a new generation to boldly stand on the Word of God. We are here to support you with resources and materials to equip you for your walk with Christ and your boldness in proclaiming His truth. Our hope is Jesus Christ.
We Have an App for That!
Our app is FREE and is designed to encourage you in your walk with Christ and to train and equip you and your family in staying bold in your faith. Just click HERE, and look for the blue asterisk on the black background.
Our Newest Releases!
We also encourage you to purchase our newest ministry book, Did Jesus Commit Suicide? And 27 Other Questions That Teens Have About the Bible (that adults want to know, too) to help you answer questions from a biblical worldview that teens are asking today. Click HERE.
IMPACT curriculum trains and equips young adult believers to stand boldly on the Word of God. It helps them know why they believe what they believe so that, in turn, they can live and share their faith with confidence.
Unit 1: Foundations begins with the basic principles of apologetics, biblical worldview, and critical thinking. This groundwork prepares students to unpack the rich content of the attention-grabbing DeBunked videos while they build relationships with others, actively apply the lesson content, and find true purpose in planting seeds of faith in a world that needs the hope of Christ. Click HERE to see other related products or to order this valuable resource.
Unit 1: Foundations begins with the basic principles of apologetics, biblical worldview, and critical thinking. This groundwork prepares students to unpack the rich content of the attention-grabbing DeBunked videos while they build relationships with others, actively apply the lesson content, and find true purpose in planting seeds of faith in a world that needs the hope of Christ. Click HERE to see other related products or to order this valuable resource.
Author Bio:
Pastor Draa Mackey has served as the senior pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Lincolnville, Maine, since 2018. Draa and his wife, Joanna, have been married for 4 years and have a 3-year-old son, Kirk. They love traveling, hiking, distance running (Draa is an ulta-marathoner!), and serving the Lord. To learn more about the ministry at Bayshore Baptist Church, click HERE.
Pastor Draa Mackey has served as the senior pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Lincolnville, Maine, since 2018. Draa and his wife, Joanna, have been married for 4 years and have a 3-year-old son, Kirk. They love traveling, hiking, distance running (Draa is an ulta-marathoner!), and serving the Lord. To learn more about the ministry at Bayshore Baptist Church, click HERE.
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