For the last couple months, I have felt a burden to write the following posts, and though I don't see myself as an accomplished writer, I pray that God will use them to encourage you in your life, in some small way.
So, I'm 20 = not yet the "BIG 21", but no longer a "teenager". My friends and I used to joke that it was the "nothing year", though in grave reality, it is far, far from that! I never really identified with the modern "teenager" idea (you know, the "Junior" Section in most clothing stores, that makes one look like an immature, self-obsessed rockstar-wanna-be, which follows along with (or maybe pre-dates?) their wearers). That might not be what your idea of what a"teenager" is like, but I guess that is the picture stuck in my mind.
If we are honest though, I think we would all agree that the majority of America's teenagers--both young men and women--are unconsciously (or consciously) trained by their superiors, media, schooling, and peers, that the teenage years are to be spent frivolously and freely, giving their sacred God-given gifts to those of the opposite sex, before the responsibility of adulthood ties them down for the rest of their life. Of course, without Biblical values to stand on, this only complicates the matters, because, what are 'morals' then? Who sets them? If there is no God, and we are just on this earth to enjoy it and "live life to the fullest", in a fleshly, lustful, self-centered way, why should we not create our own destiny and morality as well?
For those of us who were raised on a Biblical foundation (especially if you were raised in an incredible, God-centered home like mine), you should agree that we have each been blessed, and so much so, that often we don't grasp it and simply take it for granted. Even for us though, I think you would each have to agree that the teenage years aren't usually all ice cream and strawberries. There comes a point, where we each come to a set of crossroads.
We have to make a decision:
Will we fully embrace what we have been taught by our parents and choose to make our foundation firmly set on our Saviour's Precepts and Principles? Or, will we wash away with the world, maybe even slowly, by embracing the 'not-so-bad' things?
Will we stand on the shoulders of those who raised us, and carry on the Banner of Love and Truth that they so earnestly fought to keep, so that we should have it too? Will we shine the Light inside of us (trusting that you have asked for and accepted the Light of Salvation, by trusting in Jesus Christ, and repenting and turning from your sins)? Will we set that Light on a hill, and not let it be hid? Will we walk the Light, and not just talk It?
All these are questions that may seem easy to answer, but there are times that Satan's temptations are deceitfully covered in mint chocolate and dripping in vanilla: they look and smell delightfully sweet to our senses, but the end thereof is the ruin of us!
Will our foundation stand firm? Or will it cave when the storms of life come?
My early-mid teens years were the hardest. Though my struggles didn't show as much externally, there was a full-time war going on internally, and Satan battled hard. It was during that time that I desperately sought for what my true identity in Christ really was. I gave my life to Christ at an early age, and then re-dedicated it to God at age 13, a year after God impassioned my heart to serve Him on the Mission field. However, just like everyone else, I had to choose what I was going to embrace for my own.
God is so faithful! Not only did He send special people along the way to encourage and pray for me, but He gave me incredibly wise parents who were able to even 'tough love' me (during my independent streak) when I needed it. Though my cross might look small compared to others, it was hard all the same, and though I regret that I didn't come to the end of myself sooner (something I found truly can only be done by Jesus), I know that it was worth it in the end, because it gave me a 'relatibility-factor' with others that I would never have had otherwise.
So many of us try to use our parents as an excuse for our actions, saying "Well, they hurt me..." or "Well, Dad was emotionally or sexually abusive..." or "Mom and I could never agree..." or whatever else it may be. True, maybe they did do those things, however, we each have a choice to make on how we process those situations. We can either see it as a refining fire that God can use, or we can harbor bitterness and anger towards them, which ultimately hurts us more than anyone else.
Did you know that all parents have never parented a child before they have their own? Sure, they might have had lots of younger siblings, or done tons of babysitting, but there are differences. Each set of parents have to figure out parenting for themselves. Praise God, not only has He put others there who have wisdom from raising their own children, but He HAS also given us an instruction manual on how to raise our children!! The Bible, AND the Holy Spirit. However, unlike we would like to think, what we would like our parents to do or say is NOT written on our foreheads. ;) *sigh* (Just wait, it'll be our turn, soon enough!!) We need to give them more grace, and have more thankful spirits than we have. We need to help them out by communicating, and striving to show proper respect and honour due them. Let's say "Thank you!" for a change, instead of expecting them to be perfect.
If we are honest though, I think we would all agree that the majority of America's teenagers--both young men and women--are unconsciously (or consciously) trained by their superiors, media, schooling, and peers, that the teenage years are to be spent frivolously and freely, giving their sacred God-given gifts to those of the opposite sex, before the responsibility of adulthood ties them down for the rest of their life. Of course, without Biblical values to stand on, this only complicates the matters, because, what are 'morals' then? Who sets them? If there is no God, and we are just on this earth to enjoy it and "live life to the fullest", in a fleshly, lustful, self-centered way, why should we not create our own destiny and morality as well?
We have to make a decision:
Will we fully embrace what we have been taught by our parents and choose to make our foundation firmly set on our Saviour's Precepts and Principles? Or, will we wash away with the world, maybe even slowly, by embracing the 'not-so-bad' things?
Will we stand on the shoulders of those who raised us, and carry on the Banner of Love and Truth that they so earnestly fought to keep, so that we should have it too? Will we shine the Light inside of us (trusting that you have asked for and accepted the Light of Salvation, by trusting in Jesus Christ, and repenting and turning from your sins)? Will we set that Light on a hill, and not let it be hid? Will we walk the Light, and not just talk It?
All these are questions that may seem easy to answer, but there are times that Satan's temptations are deceitfully covered in mint chocolate and dripping in vanilla: they look and smell delightfully sweet to our senses, but the end thereof is the ruin of us!
Will our foundation stand firm? Or will it cave when the storms of life come?
God is so faithful! Not only did He send special people along the way to encourage and pray for me, but He gave me incredibly wise parents who were able to even 'tough love' me (during my independent streak) when I needed it. Though my cross might look small compared to others, it was hard all the same, and though I regret that I didn't come to the end of myself sooner (something I found truly can only be done by Jesus), I know that it was worth it in the end, because it gave me a 'relatibility-factor' with others that I would never have had otherwise.
Did you know that all parents have never parented a child before they have their own? Sure, they might have had lots of younger siblings, or done tons of babysitting, but there are differences. Each set of parents have to figure out parenting for themselves. Praise God, not only has He put others there who have wisdom from raising their own children, but He HAS also given us an instruction manual on how to raise our children!! The Bible, AND the Holy Spirit. However, unlike we would like to think, what we would like our parents to do or say is NOT written on our foreheads. ;) *sigh* (Just wait, it'll be our turn, soon enough!!) We need to give them more grace, and have more thankful spirits than we have. We need to help them out by communicating, and striving to show proper respect and honour due them. Let's say "Thank you!" for a change, instead of expecting them to be perfect.
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
~ Deuteronomy 5:16 ~
At 17, I had most of my core values firmly established, however the last 3 years have been a refining fire for me, and though I know God broke me completely at 15, He gently has kept keeping the fire hot over the last few years, and I am so grateful for it!! In the Philippines, He especially did so, and not only were my eyes opened to how blessed I truly am, but I was also given the opportunity to test who I really am in Christ, and to live out my core values, in the face of diversity, and though I regret some choices I made, I learned so much through them!
Looking back, I see how hardened I was in my mid-teens, feeling the need to 'protect myself', and it has only been recently that God has truly been breaking down that wall.
This completes the introduction for what I really sat down to write about,..to be continued in my next post. ;) about....FEMINITY and WOMANHOOD.
