This is a letter to the boys….ahem….men….who have recently graduated out of student ministries at NCC and have headed off into the “world” to pursue further education, future careers, and ultimately their lives as individuals. Though I only served as your Youth Pastor for the final 14 months of your high school career, I am reserving the right to speak into your lives. Not because I’m a control freak. Not because I don’t trust you. Not because I claim any extra helping of wisdom. Just because I love you guys…
So….these are somethings I learned…cliffsnotes from a Pastor and Friend…
Dear Chad, Sterk, D-Mac, Tyler, Dylan, Mace, and Ryan,
Man I hope you guys are all doing well! Things are definitely different without you guys around…alot less tall people around! I am wondering how school is going? I know it was an overwhelming thing when I first went to school and realized that college isn’t really like high school. If you don’t do the work, you can’t really bluff your way through tests anymore. I think my first test in college was in Spanish 102….I think I got an F. Maybe a D. We’ll say it was a D. Anyway, that’s when I realized that things had changed. You’re adults now….nobody is watching over you constantly and telling you that you can’t go to the movies or to a concert until you get your homework done. When you tell a professor that you didn’t get the reading done, it’s no one’s fault but your own…after all, “You’re an adult”. College is full of lying to yourself, you know? I’ll finish studying after I get back from the concert. Waffle House? Sure! I’ll finish studying after Waffle House. Don’t lie to yourself. It ain’t gonna happen…and you’re gonna end up taking that test and having no idea what the heck the Battle of Waterloo is. I am almost positive it was a D. I hope I’m not lying to myself….
There are going to be lots of people fighting over the right to speak into your lives and decision. Be careful who you let affect you. It’s amazing how quickly we allow people to influence our decisions when we’re finally out of the house and away from mom and dad. “I’m free to make my own decisions…what should I do everybody?” Don’t trade in the influence and instruction of those that love you dearly for the influence of those who don’t know you at all.
Be men. This world is desperately in need of young men who love God, guys. I know that statistics say that of the 7 of you, 6 will have turned their back on God and the Church by the age of 30. I don’t want to see that statistic come true with you guys….you know why? There is not one of you that I am willing to give up, much less six. You guys mean too much to me. You mean too much to Mr. Brown. You mean too much to God, guys. I know that sounds cliche, but I hope you all know that it is 100% true. God made you in his image…and as much as we have distorted that image with living for ourselves, He loves us. Do you think that the galaxies are the pinnacle of creation? The Milky Way perhaps? Nope…it’s you. Psalm 8 tells us that we are greater than those things…and you have infinite worth because, through the cross, He paid the ultimate price…that is love. Too few young men right now understand what love is. The world tells you all sorts of lies about love.
The decisions you guys are making are determining who you are becoming. So, are you choosing to live for yourself right now? Are you telling yourself, “I’m just gonna try life without God for a while. No rules. No guilt. If things don’t work out, I can straighten up later”? Let me give you a hint. Things aren’t gonna work out. Trust me as someone who lived by their own plan. Most of the regrets of my life happened about the time you guys are at now. The things I did. The things I didn’t do. The ways I treated others.
I love you guys….not nearly as much as God does…but I seriously love you. Mr. Brown loves you. Your parents love you. But God LOVES you…in a way none of us can even imagine.
My door is always open. My phone is always on for you guys. I can be to all of you within 2 hours…
24Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude)
Praying for all of you guys!
Zach
This was both challenging and inspiring bro. It is so great to see you taking lots of time to speak truth and love. I love to see this kind of follow through. There are not enough shepherds and pastors like you. Keep it up bro, you have a gift.
I hope these guys take you up on your offers.
Ian