rebelling against low expectations
Culture is everywhere. Literally. Culture is everywhere. It’s wherever people are. We’re a part of it, and it’s a part of us. It’s inescapable and wonderful. But it’s also true in the sense that everybody’s talking about it. Culture is everywhere in the Church: books, sermons, teaching series, conversations, mission statements. Everywhere we turn, we’re...
Figuring out our future careers and callings can be both scary and exciting. Some people seem to have a very clear call from God on what they are supposed to do with their career, but from my experience, a crystal-clear vision isn’t the norm. Most people need opportunities to experiment with different jobs before they discover what fits them best. When I was in high school, I assumed college...
It’s in our nature to work and have aspirations. Some of us are loud and outspoken about our goals, while others are quiet about it. Ambition and aspiration is in all of us–adults, teens, Christians, and non-Christians. There’s several common ones: Desiring a certain job/career. Aiming to be popular. Gaining wealth. But if these simple goals are left unchecked by the truth of the...
What is God’s plan for my life? I believe that is a question every teen has asked him or herself. What does God want me to do? This job or that job? Should I go to college? Yes? No? What should I study? The decisions a teen has to make can seem overwhelming. In the time we are living in there are a seemingly unending amount of offers. University. Gap year. Online courses. If you think about it...
It creeps in during the middle of history class. It shows up unannounced on a hot summer day filled with no plans. Boredom. Apathy. Laziness. The older we get, the less often we seem to be plagued by boredom because we stuff our schedules to the brim with sports and activities and homework and friends and technology. But we still feel it. Where does boredom come from? Is it a sin to be bored? The...
“What are your plans after high school?” By now, you think I would have a solid answer. “Well, I want to write. Maybe take some online classes or find a mentor. I’ve researched different degrees and programs but haven’t picked any. I want to keep serving in my church too. And it’d be fun to learn a language…” The short answer? “No clue. Get back to me in five years.” Is It Okay Not to Know? I’m...
I stared out the window at a landscape of small towns and long-established farms rich with family history. My mom and I were on the way home after visiting my one-hundred year old great-grandma, and I couldn’t help but think of all the changes throughout her life. My reflections on the past mingled with the constant nagging questions about the future that many young people often carry in the back...
Do you make New Year’s goals? For the past several years, at the end of December, I’ll sit down and write out my plans, dreams, and yes, goals, for the brand new year in front of me. It works great—for the first two months. I’m inspired, motivated, and have a sense of direction. But somewhere between February and March, my list flies out the window until ten months later, when I pull it out...
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you don’t fit in? Being a Christian is like that. There are times when we can’t find ourselves being comfortable among our non-Christian friends, and don’t really fit into the ‘Christian crowd’ either. Being faithful to God can seem like one of life’s hardest challenges. Living in a way that pleases God is not easy. In fact, living a sin-free life is...
It’s school season (if you haven’t noticed). And with it, the school season brings many things: friends, full-schedules, the thrill of learning, homework, late night study sessions, early morning study sessions, teachers, tests, projects, drama–it goes on and on. But what it brings the most is a pile of unknowns. And with the unknowns come questions… Questions about whether you’ll be...
rebelling against low expectations
