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Growing Up
We cannot determine how we start out life, but we do determine the direction our life goes in. For me, I grew up in a Christian family and a Christian environment, but I came to a point in my life that I had to choose to serve God and choose Life for myself. I couldn’t rely on my parents’ choices or what people were making me do anymore. I was just about to go into high school when I really surrendered my life to God and I knew I had to make definite decisions of change.
Here are a couple of things I did that helped me put my life in the direction of Life…
• Daily prayer and Bible Reading. This was first priority to me. Without a real & vital relationship with God, the rest of this list is heartless & mechanical. So, get your notebook out, pick a time every day & have someone hold you accountable to it. This helps!
• I embraced the rules and protection my parents set up for me… Whether it is a curfew, calling when you arrive, or not letting you go out. Don’t just obey your parents, but EMBRACE what they tell you. God has given our parents insight into our life and when we refuse to willingly obey, we step out from GOD’S protection and open ourselves up for trouble.
• Stay close to your leaders… With a multitude of counselors, there is safety. Your parents and leaders see things you can’t. It really is true.
• Curfew was King! If your parents haven’t given you a curfew, set one up for yourself. Things tend to go downhill when people get tired. (Conversations turn useless, your sense of judgment is not as sharp, jokes turn crude, not to mention you are worn out the next day. J)
• I didn’t build relationships with guys… I broke up with my boyfriend and chose not to have close guy friends. I didn’t give guys my email address, phone number, etcetera. That saved me a lot of time and heartache. I also chose not to go to school dances.
• Know your own boundaries & limitations. I didn’t do things I knew would feed my flesh and wouldn’t profit me. My family, leaders, and friends might even say something is okay, but I couldn’t go against my conscience… Not going somewhere you know a certain guy will be at, not watching a particular movie, wearing a certain outfit… You know your weakness… don’t put your bad foot out!
• My Friends were those who were seeking God with me… Choose your friends WISELY. It’s not how many friends you have, but what kind of friends they are. You WILL become who you spend time with. Your parents and leaders can help you choose good friends.
• I kept my room clean. This may be strange to see in this list, but I used to have a messy room. Keeping my room & closet clean helped me practice diligence & self-control. No matter how tired you are, don’t just throw your clothes on the floor or on a “neat pile” to hang up later… Piles have a way of collecting more! Learn to take care of things right away.
• Go to Church & be involved… Get to the church meetings, camps, etc… and get involved. When you make sacrifices, God shows up! Also, you need to be active serving not just getting for yourself.
• Choose what is most important… My family had just moved to a bigger house with more property and the plan was for me to finally get a horse!...My childhood dream! But I was involved with the choir and youth group at my church and I knew I wouldn’t have time for both along with schoolwork. I decided not to play sports in high school or to get a horse, so I could focus on the things at church… I needed that!
• HOLD ON TIGHT! I held on tight to advise from my leaders. Don’t forget the advice and instruction they give you… even if you think you don’t need it & that you are doing okay on your own. Chances are you will need it soon and it is time to prepare!
I hope you can relate to these situations and save yourself some trouble in your growing up years. These are not choices I had to make once, but these are things I am still holding myself to. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list... that would be way too many. Life is about the many small things you do that build your life. So seek God with the small things.
If you do it to impress God by your goodness, try to impress people, or build high status for yourself, you will probably end up disappointed, bitter, and resentful. Whatever choices you make & in everything you do, do it with your whole heart, because you love God.
Article courtesty Chelsea Good.
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