Don't Waste Your Life

I just recently returned from helping with Merritt Youth Retreat.  This is a camp that takes place at Merritt Reservoir by Valentine, Nebraska.  At this camp, students spend an entire weekend playing out on a lake and learning more about God.  I was able to serve on the worship team and as a small group leader.  The theme of this weekend was "Don't Waste Your Life."

Each time the speaker would give his message, there was something that stuck out to me.  He reminded me that God has created a purpose for my life.  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)  Before my life ever even began, my amazing God had a plan for it.  Of the 7 billion people (please take the time to fully understand just how big that number is) that are currently living on this earth, God has a plan for ME...measly little me.  To think that God created a plan that only I, out of all the people on earth, could fulfill is absolutely amazing.  If God created a plan for someone as seemingly insignificant as me, don't you think He has created a plan for you as well?  I do.  Stay focused on God and His will, and He will make sure you fulfill the plan He created specifically for you.

The next thing I was reminded of comes from Romans 8:28.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  (NIV)  God has definitely used this verse in a very real way in my life.  When I was 8 years old, I lost my mom to cancer.  It was devastating to my family.  I just wanted my mom back.  I wanted her to brush my hair and stroke my face in the gentle way that would always put me to sleep, but I couldn't have her back.  Soon we moved to a new town, and my dad met a new lady.  He decided to remarry which meant I would gain a step-mom.  My step-mom had a solid relationship with Christ, and she was so bold and courageous about sharing Him with me.  I came to know Christ because of the way God used my step-mom in my life.  I can honestly say that I would never have given my life to Christ if my step-mom had not shown me the way.  As awful as this sounds, if my real mom had not lost her life, mine would have been lost to Hell.  Through a horrible circumstance God worked something good.

The final lesson I took away from an awesome weekend of serving God  is to live my life in a way that I am not wasting it.  When I am 70 or 80 years old, I want to look back at my life and know that I enjoyed my relationship with God, served Him with all my heart, and boldly shared my love for Him with other people.  I desire a boldness to reach others for God in the purpose He has created for me.  I would be extremely disappointed in myself if I were to look back at my life and realize that I did not share Christ with the people I meet.  Maybe there is one person who never hears the Gospel of Christ because I was too scared to share it, and because of me that person has no chance of getting into Heaven.  Because I failed at being bold for Christ, that person goes to Hell.

Join me in being bold for Christ.  Don't let others be dammed to Hell because you were too afraid to share Christ.  "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"  (Mark 16:15, NIV)  We have been commanded to share the good news with others, and we don't have to lean on ourselves to do it.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)  Don't be afraid; God will give us the boldness and courage we need to share the Gospel with others.

God is doing amazing things in my life and all around me.  I hope and pray He is doing the same for you!