rebelling against low expectations
The image lingers. A few weeks ago, I visited the local gym to exercise. After mounting the elliptical trainer, I fixed my eyes on the row of televisions mounted from the ceiling. One for FOX promoted the season premiere of Lucifer, a series that focuses on the devil and his life in Los Angeles as a nightclub owner and a liaison with the Los Angeles Police Department. Three monitors to the right...
Parents are generally surprised when I tell them that most young people today (including their own children) are not being challenged. The surprise stems from the fact that their kids are constantly busy. They have loads of homework and tons of extra-curricular activities. How could they not be challenged? But the fact is, having a lot to do is not the same as being stretched and stimulated by...
As Christians taking part in the Rebelution, we are challenged to go beyond what is expected of teenagers and to rebel against low expectations. But sometimes it is hard to figure out what that means. How do you do that? What are some ways you can reach this challenge? What is an achievable way to “Do Hard Things?” One of the most satisfying and fulfilling ways is to invest in those younger than...
I closed my computer and sat down on my bed in frustration. I’ve tried so hard. What am I doing wrong? I wondered. Sighing, I whispered aloud, “Maybe you’re just not meant for this after all.” I had worked so hard on a project I felt God wanted me to accomplish, only to have it fail and crumble right before my eyes. I wanted to give up. What I couldn’t see then is...
Leaves are changing, coffee shops smell of pumpkin, and midterms are coming. It’s my first semester living on campus at my university, and I’m taking advantage of Fall Break to rest and reset from the whirlwind. Maybe you’re approaching the halfway point of your semester, too, and maybe it’s your first time living out of your parents’ immediate guidance. If so, consider taking even half an hour...
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him.'” (Genesis 2:18) This verse used to stump me. It was something that caused me to prop my chin on my hand and say “huh!” If God knew man shouldn’t be alone, then why are there so many single people in the world today? As I sat back and thought about these...
High school. So many different words are used to describe it. Words like divided, exclusive, cruel, and unforgiving are only a few of the ones I’ve heard. But the word that stands out above all others to me is opportunistic. My school is chock-full of opportunity to share the gospel. When I think about getting on stage in the auditorium and telling my entire school about Jesus; the faculty, the...
How would you define a good friend? I would say that a good friend is one who is loving and patient and kind. It’s someone who listens when I talk and remembers what I said. A good friend encourages me randomly through the week, prays for me, and forgives me when I mess up. This person smiles and talks about God with me. A good friend can tell when I’m upset or hurting or just plain tired...
Around a year ago (give or take a few months), I took this online class. It was called Do Hard Things University, and it was awesome. I originally took the course in hopes of learning about just that — doing hard things — through teaching and class time. But I discovered something just as amazing: a community of like-minded young people. I wasn’t alone! There were more people out there who didn’t...
I spent a lot of time reading in high school. Not everything was worth reading. It wasn’t reading books with problematic content. But I read many forgettable books that didn’t impact my spiritual or intellectual life. It isn’t bad to read books just because they’re enjoyable—in moderation there’s a value in stories that offer simple entertainment. But the best books not only delight us, but also...
rebelling against low expectations
