Light in the Darkness (part 2)
Posted on April 29, 2014 in Uncategorized
Over the course of an 18-month period, I engaged in conversations with a group of 14 college students whom we refer to as the “Lifeguards”.
How many of you parents or grandparents of teens feel as though you are swimming in uncharted waters? Thus, the reason we needed some Lifeguards…we reached out to them to throw us some life preservers.
They came from across the country, from different backgrounds, different family structures, and different cultures. They agreed to share openly and willingly their reflections on their own upbringing and the world around them.
They accepted the challenge to be vulnerable, they asked hard questions, and they answered even harder ones. Through Facebook messages, texts, late night phone calls, and time together, I got to know the hearts of these amazing young men and women.
We are in the final stages of completing a book for parents. Our hope was to gain perspective from young people navigating college life. We wanted to understand what they felt they were well prepared for and what things they could have used a little more guidance with. Was their faith strong? Did they have a good support system? What were their thoughts on abortion and homosexuality? Most importantly, were they prepared to be a light to those around them?
Some of what they said might surprise you, some things you may disagree with, you will feel validated in the stances you’ve taken with your own children, yet, also challenged to take a new stands.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.” Isaiah 42:16
The response that may have surprised me most was in response to me really pouring my heart out to the Lifeguards.
I remember asking them what they (our young people) needed from us…because all day, every day at CareNet we are asking teens and families to be different, to live differently. I need to be able to believe it is possible. I said, “I need to be able to believe in you.”
Their response was…”expect more from us. Raise the bar higher. If your expectations of us are low and you set the bar low we will be fine with crawling under it…but if we know that you expect us to achieve great things for the Kingdom…we will do all that we can to achieve it.”
Daniel 2:22 “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him”
The Lord is revealing deep and hidden things to some in this next generation…and light dwells in them.
Jace Bennett is a young man I have known for many years and have always been impressed with him. Jace is a young man that we can count on to stand by his convictions and he will soon be applying to law schools. He is a wrestler for Cornell University and recently participated in the NCAA National Championships. He is a true Texas boy, too, as you can see…not sure those New Yorkers know what to do with him. 🙂
Secondly, why can’t there be thousands of stories just like these from our community? Jace struggled with his identity, Christian with depression, Andrew with overcoming obstacle after obstacle…but they have overcome!
When did we decide that if our teenagers could reach high school graduation and not be pregnant or addicted to drugs then we’ve succeeded???
At CareNet, we believe that strength of character can be taught and practiced, just like an athletic or musical gifting is. Strong character doesn’t happen by accident, but you better believe it can happen if we purpose it!
We can raise a generation of overcomers and influencers. They can love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, and strength…they can hear His voice. They can be submitted to parents and authorities. They can have courageous hearts in search of His plans and purposes. They can literally change our community and their world.
We are counting on His power in them to do just that…change our world.
Join me tomorrow; I will be sharing the last of our 2014 Banquet videos.
My love,
