I spent last week at the beach with 70 high school students and 10 adult leaders. A
beach retreat in the middle of summer is something that our students look
forward to each year, and this year’s trip did not disappoint. The theme of the
camp was Voices, and it focused on
the different influences that speak into our lives. We live in a world full of
voices, many of which can tear us down or lead us astray. However, we have the
power to choose which voices we will accept and which ones we will reject. Our
focus this month on the book of Proverbs is meant to help us learn to hear the
voice of Wisdom and follow a path that leads to life.
Proverbs 15: 22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but
with many advisers they succeed. “ Whether or not our plans succeed or fail,
according to this proverb, depends mainly on our willingness to seek out the
wisdom of others.
One of the speakers last week, John Acuff, informed us that
we all have access to time machines. But these time machines aren't like the
Delorean from the Back to the Future movies.
Instead, they are found in the experiences of those further along than us on
the journey of life. For a young person, it can be tempting to think that his
or her situation is completely unique. And in some rare cases, perhaps it is. However,
the reality is that most of the major crossroads that we come to in life have already
been encountered by others. When a fork in the road is on the horizon or a plan
for the future must be mapped out, will we have the wisdom to seek the counsel
of trustworthy advisors?
It’s never too early to start building relationships with
people who can mentor and counsel you. What voices should you “turn up” as you
plan for the future?
Yours and His,
Allen Wilson
Director of Student Ministry
C-Groups can be a great place to find advice & wise counsel. A mentor is also a great way to have wise counsel in your life. But we must seek it out because it will not find us.
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace, Stephen Hampton
This is exactly why having your kids involved in student ministry is so important, because we all know our kids think parents don't know anything or can't understand what they are going through. Good thing they grow up and realize parents can be mentors as well. As you get older, your parents pass and it's harder to find mentors (I guess this means you are to BE the mentor), so like Stephen says, C-groups are a great option.
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