I've got about 10 minutes before my next thing in life. I really want to share with you this small story, the small glimpse of what Jesus is doing here in this small part of the world. I sit here in awe at what God is doing in my life, the young girls He has placed in my life. It is when I start to think I have been placed in THEIR life when I get in trouble.. they have definitely been placed in mine to teach me and show me more of Jesus.
This afternoon I met with 2 middle school girls who are hungry for Truth. They requested to study the book of Colossians.
After we read through chapter one, Claire grabbed a notebook FULL OF NOTES, looked up and said,
"Well I have a question about chapter 3 verse 12."
As we jumped there she shared the problem we all face: being surrounded with sarcasm. The facade of strength. The wall and barrier of the heart. The struggle with her peers always pushing others down with their words, always dehumanizing others through sarcasm, blunt words, and bold rudeness.. the discomfort of the walls we put around our hearts. The walls that have poky swords sticking out at anyone that comes near.
The heart of a 12 year old girl shared the shallowness and hurt that comes with sarcasm. I was humbled, again, at the heart and maturity of this young lady.
The heart of a 12 year old girl shared that it doesnt match up with Colossians 3:12:
Now that. That is strength - relying on those words, striving for those words through Jesus. Through the mighty power of a God that is bigger and can give us the miraculous power to wear and respond with those characteristics. Even when sarcasm is thrown at us.
As we talked through this I was inspired by her desire to pursue Jesus. Even though it is uncomfortable and extremely unpopular. To pursue Him not only as Savior, but as KING, as Lord.
I am confident that maturity and wisdom have little to do with age. I would dare to say these two 12 year old girls are more mature than many 30 year olds I know. They have the wisdom that only comes from the reverence of the Lord Jesus. They have the heart that strives to please their Jesus and the reminder that all they have to do is submit to His heart. To wear His love as their identity.
They have moved me to submitting myself once again to Jesus, asking Him to purify my heart. To remind me to be more real than not. To be vulnerable even when its risking comfort (which is always). To not turn to sarcasm. Will you join us in this unpopular voyage?
Here are the notes I took so that I would not forget the Truths these 12 year old girls taught me, reminded me today:
- Sarcasm is a dangerous dehumanizing tool that cuts others down. It is not funny. It is not what pleases the heart of Jesus
- Colossians 3:10-12 explains that we get to freely put on a NEW NATURE, a new identity. And it is freeing! We do not turn to sarcasm, but to tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentlessness, and patience because Jesus values us. He loves us. And if He loves me, then He loves you. So why would I dehumanize you, the one He loves?
- Colossians 3:5-9 reminds me that I am human, and that sometimes, alot of times, I fail. But in Chapter 1 verse 22 I am reminded that I am made perfect because of Jesus. That I stand faultless and blameless before Him.
I learn so much from these girls. The joy and honor it is to spend time with the second half of my generation. I hope you will have the honor and privilege of doing the same thing: invest, learn, grow. You won't regret that time spent.