Summer is over and changing temperatures are around the bend. Excited to see all that God has for us this next school year. Who will respond to His love for the first time?  Who will decide to follow Christ through the seasons of life? How will God use us to bring glory to His name?

Expectations are a funny thing. Some people say not to have any, so you won’t get disappointed. Some say if you don’t have any, you won’t grow or challenge yourself. I’ve always been one who likes to shoot for the stars and hold the bar high. Some people could accuse me of being a dreamer. I don’t enjoy stress or hardship, but at the same time I want more. More of Christ, more of true life, more of his will on earth and in our lives.

I’m not satisfied with the state of the world. I want to see the kingdom come down. I want to see all be reconciled with the King. I want to see us grow and live the great adventure he is calling us to. I’m haunted by choice of Israel in Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel. They choose to have a human King “like all the other nations” did, rejecting a theocracy and Yahweh as their King. The scary part to me was that God let them have their way. He tried to reason with Israel and warn them of the consequences, but they wanted what they wanted and God let them have their way.

This makes me wonder, have I ever done the same thing. Would I even be aware of it. Could I be missing out on God’s best and settling for my will to be done? The truth is only God would know it and I hope with God’s help I could discern it and correct it.

One of my former Pastors told a story of a time when he wanted to surprise his son at school. He was planning on taking his son out of school just before lunch one day to for a special lunch together. He went to school and as he looked through the classroom window he saw his son getting in trouble for doing something inappropriate. The father felt it wasn’t the right time to reward his son by taking him out of the classroom for a special lunch. It would have to wait. He left the school saddened that the opportunity was missed. His son never knew of his father’s plans that day. He didn’t even know what he was missing.

Like the child in the story, am I missing out? Does God have more for me and unknowingly I am not ready for it. Do I even know that I am missing something? Do I want God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven? What would that mean to my daily life? What would have to change? I am I willing to pay the price? Have I become complacent?

This next school year I don’t know all that God has in store for us, but may we have all that he has in store for us. Your will be done and Your Kingdom come down this school year. May we know what it is to have True Life.

  In His Son,

Matthew Gillis

Youth Pastor

 Sr. High Youth Group:    Mondays— 7:00-9:00pm       

 Jr. High Youth Group:    Wednesdays—7:00-8:30pm

Matt,
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