An Attitude of Purpose
You can't die until you've fulfilled the call God has proclaimed over your life. I have made this statement numerous times to the interns at Teen Mania's Honor Academy program. This is the heart of living a life of purpose and destiny. But how are we to get them to live purposefully if we ourselves do not exemplify that attitude in our lives?
I propose a new outlook, a new way of thinking, a new and a powerful attitude of living life on purpose: knowing your purpose and walking it out without fear. We are told to shine like stars in the universe amongst a crooked and depraved generation (Philippians 2:15). We are also told that our obedience will shower blessings on the generations to come (Exodus 20:5-6). Let's shine among this generation so that they can be blessed because of our faithfulness (Psalm 112:1-2). Let's help them activate their passions and purposes. Let's live right and let that reflect into the lives of our kids.
Learning How to Dream
I often tell the story of a friend I had in high school. We both had dreams to change the world for Christ, but one of us took a leap of faith and the other played it safe. I have asked him plenty of times to join me as a world-changer, but he now has grown so many roots in his current circumstance that his passion for change is dampened by the life-decisions he's made.
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How do we want our children to be? A passion is growing deep within each of us to do something amazing; to make a difference; to change the world. God has given us these desires. So, we need to encourage our kids and the teens we know to dream; to not worry about what limitations may go before them, but to embrace what God has laid inside of them.
No matter where you are, there is still a vision for you. As a matter of fact, there is a vision for every aspect of your life. Don't worry about the past. Realize your vision and soar!
Trying to live your life out in your kids
I've seen so many kids with an attitude that they should play it safe by keeping close to home or just pursuing the career their parents say they should. This is extremely limiting to their potential. We, as parents, should allow our kids to dream as we dream with them. Mind the word "with" and not "for." Never try to live your life out in your kids. Let them dream their own dreams. They have a calling on their life and once they discover it, they will have a purpose for living.
Now you may be saying, "Ron, I have to be realistic. My kid has to do something that earns money, you know?" This is where you are wrong. God is not a god with limited resources. He is very able to fulfill his purpose in our lives (Philippians 2:13). We, however, must embrace it (James 1:21).
What Purposeful Living Can Do
An example of the power of purposeful living can be the immense influence that one Muslim man had when he decided that he would like to see the United States a Muslim nation within 40 years. He is solely responsible for starting more Mosques in America than any other single person, therefore increasing the impact of Islam on American culture.
This person doesn't even have God on their side in the battle they are fighting for their dream to become a reality. How much more do you think your purposes for life, God's purposes for your life and the lives of our teenagers, is able to succeed in impact?
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Teen Mania's dream is clear, to cultivate the dreams of others, to raise this generation to be leaders in the culture, sharing God's truth with the world, becoming the ones who speak up the most to provoke change in today's society. It is up to us to let our voices be heard, stand on our purpose for life and pray that truth will prevail.
Come join us in the journey you and your teens are taking to find God's purpose for your life at an Acquire the Fire event. Look for an event near you at www.AcquiretheFire.com. This is an exciting time and we look forward with great anticipation to see what God has in store.
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Ron Luce is the founder of Teen Mania, one of the world's largest Christian youth organizations, which inspires, empowers, and equips teens to reject the negative influences of pop culture and embrace the "coolness" of Christ. This year, Teen Mania is rallying hundreds of thousands of teens in the BattleCry movement to save their generation. For more information, visit www.BattleCry.com.
