Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Looking Forward

When I was little I thought that 16 was the perfect age to be. 'Twas the oldest you could be while still being a kid. 17 was too close to the threshold of being an adult. 16 was perfect...

But I've learned some things since I was little.

Responsibility does not start when I'm 18. I will not all of a sudden "get a life" when a diploma is handed to me. Responsibility starts now. History is filled with people who accomplished great things when they were still in their teens. Why is it that now our culture is filled with "kidults", people in their late 20s and even 30s who want to keep living their lives free of grown-up duties?

Even though some might say that I'm only 16 so I still have the right to be immature and irresponsible, I don't want to be like that.

My generation is called to so much more than simply "getting by".

16 is old enough to make a meal to feed the homeless. 16 is old enough to have a holy ambition and act upon it. 16 is old enough to dive deep into God's word and experience the truth of who He is personally instead of taking someone else's word for it.

Today, I turn 16. Questions stretch out before me. I'm not simply talking about the questions "What will I do in 2 years? 5 years? 10 years?" No, more specifically, I'm thinking about questions that must be answered imminently and with actions. What will I do to bless others while I'm 16? What will I do to grow in my relationship with Christ this coming year? What will I do now to make a difference?

God, please grant me the grace and wisdom to walk in ways pleasing to You this coming year.






17 comments:

  1. I can hardly believe you're old enough to drive a car. What happened!?! I'm feeling old... Happy birthday! :)

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  2. So basically... I love you! But you already knew that. =) I'm very proud to know you, and I admire you resolution to do the best you can for God this year. I know He will fulfill that wish! Happy Birthday! <3

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  3. Happy, happy, happy birthday!!!! Sweet 16, huh? I'm sure God will grow you and use you in amazing ways this year. :D Love ya!

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  4. Dunvegan HighlanderWed Oct 14, 12:36:00 PM

    God gave us life for a reason. Beautiful.
    And a happy, happy birthday to ya, my friend.
    -NathanH.

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  5. Happy birthday, my dear friend! Lovely post. Thanks for the reminder of what to work towards as I begin my 15th year. ;)

    Love you dearly,
    Emily

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  6. Happy Birthday Christina :)Hope You have a lot of fun!!!! :D

    God Bless you and all your adventurers,
    Servant for Him

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  7. Wow, that was an encouraging, and convicting, post for me! Thank you for sharing your heart :). *hugs* I love you Christina!! Happy birthday :).

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  8. Happy birthday, sis. I've never felt "older" than you, because you've always been such an incredible mentor and friend...maybe one of these days I'll catch up to you in maturity. ;) Love ya muchly!

    ~Beth

    PS. 16 really is an awesome age. ;)

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  9. I woke up the other day and was like, is she really 15? Then last night I was like, is she really 16? Wow, you're like... uh... 16.

    Happy Birthday!

    ;D

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  10. Happy Birthday, Christina!
    <3
    ~Joy

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  11. CHRISTINA!!! Happy 16th birthday! I feel old. ;-)
    Hey! I know I'm a dweeb for not calling in forever but I'd love to talk with you and I can't find your phone number. Think you could e-mail it to me or I could e-mail you mine. I would love to hear from you!

    Love, Melanie Hall

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  12. Awww, thanks everyone for the Happy Birthday comments!

    Melanie: Oh, I miss you! I just emailed you so hopefully I have the right email address and you have it in your inbox. If not, let me know. :-)

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  13. Kristin YoungbloodTue Oct 20, 03:31:00 PM

    Thank you for this encouraging post Christina! It is a call to maturity for all of us, of all ages.

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  14. Happy Birthday! (Belated)
    Hope your next year is full of what you least expect and most enjoy! God bless and look forward to seeing you this speech season!
    ~Mary Miller

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  15. Happy Birthday. And thanks. I was listening to "Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56" By Edvard Grieg. It's all, like epic... And "Jeg elsker dig (Ich liebe dich), Op. 5"

    Anyway, thanks for the post. Very insightful. Maturity is not what you are going to do a few years from. It's what you are doing today.

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  16. OK, so I know I'm a couple of weeks late and I already told you happy birthday .... a number of times =) ..... but I wanted to say again how much I appreciate your heart for the Lord and your desire to seek Him and walk with Him. Many blessings and much love to you, dear Christina!

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