Dear Judah Christian School,
It's finals week of my third semester of college! Graduation from our small, private high school literally feels like yesterday and an eternity ago all at the same time. Memories are starting to fade, but lessons learned are finally coming into clear view. In hindsight, my experience in this school was an excellent foundation before I launched out on my own. Take them or leave them, but here are four of the many things I wish I had truly realized in high school.
1. You won't be friends with very many of your high school classmates once you make a transition to college, so you can walk in freedom and step into your true identity in Christ without worrying what your classmates will think or say about you.
My parents would always remind me to not get wrapped up in what other people think about me in high school, because it's not likely that I'd continue many of those friendships after graduation. Yes, there are a few people I still stay in contact with, and there are others I grab lunch with on one of my three breaks of the year. It's kind of difficult to stay close friends with everyone in your graduating class when everyone moves to different states. For some reason, it seems that high school is a huge time of trivial thinking and worthless living for many. So let me ask you, if you aren't going to carry many of these friendships into years after graduation, why are you afraid to step out and be bold in your faith? Passion is often looked down upon, even in our Christian spheres. Stop caring what others think about you. Looking back, I wish I had stepped into greater intimacy with Christ. I hope that you will turn your eyes upon Jesus. The things of the earth will grow strangely dim, and it's so worth it.
2. Become friends with people who aren't your age.
We love to be friends with people who look and act like us. We are often comfortable with these people, and we rarely interact with those who aren't like us. Can I give you a challenge for your high school years? Become friends with adults. Become friends with seniors when you're a freshman. Become friends with freshmen when you're a senior. Spend time with those who will point you back to Christ--not only in their words, but the way they live their lives. It's amazing what God can teach you through people you'd normally never sit next to.
3. Stop making revival your God.
In Christian spheres, we desire revival when people begin to worship things of this world rather than the Lord. This is a beautiful desire. We want to see the hearts of others turned to the Living God. But may I ask, are we making revival our God? Are we looking only to things that are seen? Are we worshipping the created rather than the Creator? Let's examine our hearts, and ask God to give us the grace to set our hearts on things above. If you tend to fall into this, like I have done many times, ask God to stir your personal affection and discipline in your walk with the Lord. Ask Him what intimacy even looks like in a walk with God. Trust me, walking with the Lord is NOT a set of rules. It is a full and incredibly beautiful journey of living abundant life. I feel like I am beginning to let that truth sink deeply into my soul as a sophomore in college. I believe God can move you to spiritual maturity even as a high school student...especially as a high school student. When others see the fruit of that intimate walk with the Lord, many will be drawn to that and begin to desire the Lord as well.
4. You are NO LONGER A SLAVE.
Jesus Christ has complete victory over sin, evil, and death. When you begin to walk with Christ, you can step into the truth that, because of His victory, you are no longer a slave to this world. You are no longer a slave to people's opinions. You are no longer a slave to fear. You are no longer a slave to that secret sin that you feel is killing you. You are no longer a slave, because you are a child of God. He has drowned that fear, sin, and darkness in his love that abounds. Keep this in mind as you walk through those hallways. The same God that rolled the stone away, that won the victory over death, lives inside of you. As you let that sink in each day, ask the Spirit to give you His eyes to see the world around you. Trust me, high school will begin to look quite different.
Yes, I could probably go on and share many other truths I wish I had deeply lived throughout high school, but I hope that some middle school or high school student will take one of these helpful truths to heart. I'm still praying for you, Judah. You've got two choices: waste these years, or let your Creator rock your world. Go Tribe!
