“The Real World”….a phrase that bothers the core of what I
believe about life. A phrase that incessantly rings in your ear during high
school and college. A phrase that hinders you from truly living. A phrase that
discourages you from living with purpose. A phrase that depresses the idea of
making a considerable impact while you are young. A phrase that advises you to
reach the next stage quickly and implies importance only lies in the future and
never in the present.
Our culture tends to view high school and college as a
holding place for young adults who have not entered “the real world” and thus
do not have an impact on the world. Yet, as Christians, we know the Lord loves
to use youth over and over again. For example, God called David, a young boy to
defeat Goliath, the giant that could not be defeated. Much like our culture
today, people mocked him for thinking he was able to defeat him and serve his
community. Instead of encouraging him, they told him to go back and tend to the
sheep. You see, the Lord loves using young adults to impact people and culture
in life-shattering ways, because sadly culture does not expect it.
It breaks my heart to hear the words “I can’t wait to
graduate” because it shows they are not treasuring their time but believing their
identity is fulfilled only in their future. Treasure every day and do not miss out on
the purpose God has for you TODAY. Don’t miss out on the ways the Lord wants to
use you to impact our culture TODAY. If you believe satisfaction lies in
tomorrow, the cycle will never seem to end and you will never choose to use the
time you have to love people, impact culture, learn new things, and most
importantly, be obedient to what the Lord is calling you to do. If you waste
your college years, believing life has not begun, I promise you that will be
something you regret.
I am not saying the next stage in life does not look
differently and does not contain more responsibilities and opportunities. Every
stage in life is beautiful and looks different. I promise you the next stage in
life is not filled with more life and fulfillment and more reality than the one
you are in right now. The next stage is not more real than the one you are in
right now. It is only different.
Christians, let me deeply encourage you to challenge others
when they use the phrase “the real world”. Let me encourage you not to believe
there is more importance in the next stage of life. Treasure every single day
and impact the world around you in big ways. Don’t go through every day with
the thought that you can’t wait to graduate and enter a world that has more
significance. Live with significance every day. Love the people you work with
deeply. Mentor people. Seek Jesus. Learn from others. Join a cause to serve
your community. Write a book if you feel called to. Be a leader. Treasure the
people God has put in your life. Serve your church. Wake up with the intentions
to seek God faithfully, love Him, and to impact the people and culture around
you every day. Set an example. Live with intention. Don’t miss out on the joy
awaiting you today. Will you dare to use your gifts and talents to further the
gospel and serve the people around you? Will you dare to live obediently to
your calling as a Christian? Will you dare to set an example for youth in our culture? Will you dare to live with purpose today?
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and purity," 1 Timothy 4:12
Picture by: http://www.760kfmb.com/story/25389863/skepticism-regarding-high-school-graduation-rates
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