Following the example of Christ...

It’s hard to believe that this past summer has flown by so quickly! Is it just me or does the days seem like it’s passing by within a blink of an eye? Regardless of how slow or fast time feels like, I can’t believe it’s November already! School is in session. The sun rises up later in the mornings. You step outside into the cool and crisp air. The days are getting colder as we get closer to winter! The sun sets earlier in the evening. I’m sitting here and wondering if I have missed anything? Do I take each and every day for granted or do I take advantage of every opportunity? Despite of my ups and downs, I have pure joy in knowing that I have Jesus Christ in my heart! This pure joy becomes a feeling of brokenness as I think of other deaf teenagers that I come across that do not know Jesus Christ. And that is why I choose to wake up each and every day giving everything I have to the Lord.

Here is a link to view the 2009 Eagle Rock Camp video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEZ5Ia2bvI0; picture slides at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE7Is4-RP1c. This camp is one of the few camps that Deaf Teen Quest coordinates. We had a fun-filled week with many different activities and worship time. It was awesome! The leaders that bring their teenagers to camp also follow up by investing in their lives after camp during the year. This camp isn’t just a “one week thing.”

Just like many of you, I live a very busy life and it gets busier by the day. I work full time at a deaf school and then for most evenings I teach American Sign Language at a community college. On top of that, I am involved in a ministry called Deaf Teen Quest. It can feel quite overwhelming at times. I do my absolute best to develop relationships with the teenagers, but sometimes it feels like it’s not enough. Working in a school environment has some advantages. I am able to see what the teenagers go through everyday. The sin and temptations consumes them and a lot of times they don’t even realize it. I notice because their behavior shows it. It breaks my heart; however, it also motivates me to display positive images into their lives. As sad as it seems, some teachers seem like they don’t care and all they want to do is punish, punish, and punish. I am a believer in discipline, but I also believe in showing that I care. While I’m here to discipline the kids, I’m also doing everything I can to be involved in their lives. A good example of this is that some days I will sit with the kids during lunch to eat and talk with them. A lot of times I don’t even say anything…the kids do all the talking! I want them to recognize that I’m interested in them. I also try to attend to sporting events to support the teenagers. This is a fun and excellent time to interact with other deaf teenagers, while showing support to deaf teenage athletes!

Despite of everything that I try to do, there are days when I just feel like all of my investment of my life for the teenagers goes to waste. I just don’t see any results and I get frustrated. Really frustrated! It would be easier if I could just do whatever I want and invest in my own time. When I read 1 Corinthians 11:1, which says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” We are to follow Jesus Christ’s example in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard and it just doesn’t feel like a difference is being made, but we must have faith that God is at work in other people’s lives. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” I like this verse because God is asking for our absolute faith and trust in Him. As long as we are following Christ’s example, things will work out according to His purpose and plans. It can be mind boggling. I would much rather have faith and not know than to know and not have faith. I think there is greater reward in having faith without seeing!

In closing, whatever the circumstance, know that God is with you and loves you. God cares for you enough to send Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus carried the burden for us and now it’s our turn to carry the burden for those who need Jesus in their lives. As Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Let’s follow the example of Christ by dying to self for others. You just may never know when you see the results of God’s work. A couple of weeks ago, I felt like I needed some time to be alone so I did not sit with the teenagers during lunch time. For about a month or two up to that point, I felt like I wasn’t making any difference or that the teens didn’t even care that I invest my life for them. In the middle of that week, I went to the cafeteria to refill my water bottle. As soon as I walked into the room, a few teenagers turned around and were so HAPPY to see me and wanted me to sit with them! At that moment, I felt a pure joy in knowing that I’ve been doing all that I can and these teens do recognize that. I realized that God is at work and I just need to trust in Him. These kids want to be loved and given attention to, just like anyone else that you are ministering to at this moment. Persevere and don’t ever give up! Amen?