Dear Caldwell,
When I was in college, we shagged to an old beach song that declared all should “Be young. Be foolish. Be happy!”
Hear me clearly when I say that is not my pastoral advice for everyone. But it is a reminder that a youthful perspective has its advantages.
Last Sunday, our youth brought their perspective to worship in song, prayer, liturgy and proclamation. While they are young, there was certainly nothing foolish about the witness of our middle and high school members. If you missed it, call the office and we can burn a copy of the CD.
In his sermon (read it here), the young-but-wise Gabe Russell encouraged us all to hold on to our idealism rather than let the weight of the world drive it out of our faithful living.
“The way the world is, is exactly what Jesus came to challenge,” he preached. “Why shouldn’t we challenge it as well? Isn’t that what Easter people are called to do?”
More than a few folk said that we would see more of Gabe in the world after college – in the pulpit if not in the courtroom, which is what he is thinking as of now. With his legal mind, Gabe called us all to have the courage to cast the “dissenting opinion” anytime the world around us seems contrary to the Kingdom of God. He concluded with this charge.
“So as we leave this week and go out into the world, I would like to encourage you to use the hope that the youth display in their idealism as a model. Be conscious of the impact you are having on the world around you in everything you do, because everything you do does have an impact.
“Make an effort as you go out into the world, for as the book of Matthew tells us we are ‘the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.’ Remember that ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.’ God shares his light with us and we are not to keep it to ourselves but we are to share it with the world. Is that idealism? again I ask, what’s wrong with a little idealism?”
Thanks be to God for the amazing faith of your youth and the commitment of those adults who lead them.
In Christ,
John