Throughout human history, people have been searching for a “fountain of youth.” I think I saw it today.
Our YOUTH led our worship service at Macedonia this morning. Their energy, their enthusiasm, their love — for the Lord, for the acts of worship, for people — encouraged & inspired everyone!
When I see someone smiling and having a good time when they are lifting up the name of the Lord, then I want to smile and do the same. Our young people are not only talented, they are trusting in God and acting in faith. Our youth are not only our future, they are our *today* as well.
So, I thought about this: what group of people has constant and continual YOUTH??!! All kinds of people grow old. It’s happened since the expulsion from the Garden of Eden – we’re born, we’re full of life in our youth; we grow old and then die. But is there a certain people who are always youth-full??
No? Well, consider the body of Christ. God’s people always have a strong contingent of children & youth… the church of Jesus Christ is a fountain of youth – right from the Baptismal fount. For 2000 years, the body of Christ has shared the love of Christ with the next generation, and so has kept itself as “young” as it is historic.
IF YOU want to “stay young” just stay connected with the body of Christ. And listen to the words of our youth today: Love One Another.
Now that’s a lesson we can live with, to have a heart that’s eternally young. THANK YOU, Macedonia YOUTH.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I could not agree more with your words about the youth led service this week. It was one of the best Youth Sundays that I remember seeing in a very long time. It really reminded me a lot about the unconditional love of Christ. The love Christ had for each and every one of us when he willingly gave his life on the cross in order that we could be forgiven for our sins and made righteous in the site of God. There was a particular song in the service that literally brought tears to my eyes as I was reminded of the fact that I have personally contributed to the sins that Jesus bore on the cross.
I rejoice though that Jesus loved us so much that He would take on the burden of all sin and die in our stead so we can be forgiven. It is this love that makes life worth living. It is this love that brings us through the tough times on earth. It is this love that we must share with others. As the youth were so good at pointing out yesterday, when we experience this kind of love we can’t help but want to pass it on, pay it forward I believe was the term used. The idea of paying it forward is a great way to look at the love of Christ. When you think about it, there is a lot of wisdom in their message for us. Christ loved us so much that he took the brunt of our sin so we would not have to. Now obviously we can’t assume sin debt for anyone but we can help take on the brunt of their pain with them. When our brothers and sisters in God’s kingdom are in need, in pain, we are called into action. It is our privilege to be able to pay it forward and reach out with the love of Christ to a world that is hurting and more in need of God’s love now than ever before. We are called to humbly serve others in the name of our Savior. In this way, they can know His love in the time of their needs. We should all take these words to heart and live a life that is focused on paying it forward.