My dad changed our family tree. He hasn’t been perfect but he has set a standard for our family and held all of us to it. He was and is an example I can proudly strive towards.
My dad did this without having the best example to follow growing up He didn’t have the awesome example of how to be a father that I did but he did have his grandparents. They were instrumental in his upbringing. They stepped in and helped change the trajectory of his life.
They had a profound impact on his life and it shows in the stories he shares from his childhood. Instead of making excuses they took the opportunity given to them and helped change his story.
My dad was a bit of a punk growing up. At least that’s what I can conclude for the stories I’ve heard. Some people might have written him off as having no hope or destined to a miserable life due to his upbringing in a broken home. My great-grandparents saw a different story being written about him.
They saw he was a child that Jesus died for, so they brought him to church. They saw a child that needed loved so they cared for his needs. They saw a young man destined to have an impact on every life he encounters so they poured their lives into him.
Due to their love and willingness to express that love my dad has changed what others thought his story should have been.
Be that example to someone else. You can change someone’s life just as my great-grandparents did.
“Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 This should be our life motto.
Paul was known as the Christian Killer just a few years before penning this statement.
His mission was to imprison or kill and christians he could find when he met Jesus who transformed his heart, mind, and life over the remaining decades of his lifetime.
Paul went from being the Christian Killer to being an apostle for Christ. He changed his story. However, he didn’t do it on his own. Even Paul had people pouring into his life.
We should want others to look to us ONLY because our lives look so much like the life of Christ. You’re generations are searching for older generations to imitate.
You are called to be a Godly example. Instead of complaining about how awful younger generations are take time to get to know them. Learn why they think the way they do. Pour into their lives. They just might surprise you!
I know this might be scary for some, if not all of you. Because, maybe like my dad you came from a broken family. You had a tough upbringing. You might believe you’re not worthy to pour into younger generations. Or perhaps you believe you don’t have anything in common with the younger generations.
Don’t believe these or any other lies. They come straight from the liar himself.
I can tell you from experience as a youth sponsor. Younger generations just want you love and love is spelled T.I.M.E. Time.
Spend time with them, just as my great-grandparents did with my dad and in turn my dad did with me.
My dad was and is my example because someone else before him was willing to take the time and help him change his story; which admittedly changed my story. Hopefully you begin to see the ripple effect that spend just a little time and attention has on a young life.
Jesus took time to pour into twelve young men during His time on earth. If we are to follow his example, why are so many young people not being poured into today?
We as Christians must step up. Young people throughout not only our country, state, but our very own towns are in need of Godly examples.
The wisdom we have gained through life experience is extremely valuable to younger generations, whether they think it or not. We have to be willing to push past the age differences and the opinion differences to share what we know with them.
Now be warned, younger generations DO NOT want to be preached at, they have heard enough of that. It’s been said that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. So take time to truly get to know someone and their situation before sharing advice and wisdom.
Now in order to do all this, we have to first have begun to change our story. We must develop a strong relationship with the Savior. I’ll leave you with 3 simple Sunday school tips on how to develop a deeper relationship with Christ so you too can be a History Changer.
- Read His Word. This is how we can know what He say’s about Himself.
- Pray. A relationship needs communication, prayer is that communication.
- Be willing to change. When the Holy Spirit speaks to you during your prayer time (yes that means you have to shut up and listen during prayer as well) He will expose areas where you are lacking and need to change. Be willing to work alongside God fo that change.
Now go change history.