One day...Twenty-four hours....
We don't think much about what happens in a day. The average person lives more than 28,000 days in life, so what is so special about - one day?
On this day, September 17th, in history the following things occurred:
- Poland was overtaken by the Soviet Union during WWII and would remain an occupied territory throughout WWII and an oppressed nation of Eastern Europe until the late 1980's nearly fifty years later.
- On this day in 2001, the Stock Market reopened after the tragedy of 9/11.
- In 1978, the Camp David Accords were signed leading to a tentative peace in the Middle East
- In 1873, 19 students attended the first class at The Ohio State University.
- And, on this day in 1787 the US Congress adopted the US Constitution...changing the course of how our country would be governed for over 200 years.
Today is not just "one day", nor is tomorrow.
Something happens every day and everything can happen in just one day.
Maybe you will meet someone today who will be the best friend of your life, or maybe someone you know will have a baby and a new life will begin. Maybe a tragedy will occur or maybe a celebration.
One day can change the course of your life. In fact, one day will change the course of your life; and more than likely several one days will transform your life. What you do with your one days is what matters.
You have the chance to spend this one day creating something great - living out loud for Christ and His purpose. You have the chance to positively react to something which is negatively impacting you.
And one day, Jesus will come. He will catch up His believers and carry us to Heaven to be with Him. We do not know when that one day will be, but it is our opportunity and our challenge to make each one day between now and then count; to live with the fire of Christ burning in us.
On this one day you can change a life... will it be yours?
Scripture (click the link below)
If you could do ANYTHING today...what would it be...and why?
Fun Fact...GUMY Top Ten Memories...
#1....The people....
My number one memory from GUMY is a blend...it is of all of the leaders and students who have been woven through the ministry over the last twenty plus years - since I was in middle school.
I think about Kevin Teeters and him driving three eighth grade girls four hours to Kentucky...or about Joyce Galbraith and her willingness to teach a middle school Sunday School Class. I remember Danny Howser being a willing servant and the countless adults who made youth important when I was young.
I think about Kathryn and Jack whose ministry changed my life. I think about Jeff and our friendship and how we accepted Christ at the same time. I remember Mandy and how friends who met at four years old have a bond thirty years strong.
I remember the first youth meeting I attended as a leader with Amy & Jeff & Libby and we had Erik, Jessica & Jenny as our GUMY's and how they were the foundation from which great things blossomed. I think about my parents, Larry & Jean Ann and their willingness to step up and teach a group of high school kids on Sunday mornings. And I think about Keith and Vicki and that you can never go on a camping trip without either of them (Keith can make anything with a pocket knife and some duct tape...). I think about Libby and the years it was just the two of us. And I remember Hannah and Haley coming to the parking lot to look for my car to come to youth group. I remember Michelle, Tiffany, Danielle, April, Jeremy, Ben, Becka, Whitney, Nicki and Crissy, and their desire to learn and their decisions to follow Jesus. I remember Sarah's willingness to get up and dance and show her love for Jesus in the midst of the Columbine tragedy.
I think about the revival God is creating now in our church. I think about Zoe and Kendra and the beautiful friendship God has blessed there. And I think about Luke and his desire to share his church and his faith with his friends.I think about Logan and his great desire to do the right thing. I think about Gavin and his insight; Katie and her joy and her contagious enthusiasm; Margaret and her smile and love for people; Jamie and her sweet presence; Kaleigh and her unfiltered love of life; Audrey and her commitment and willingness to try new things; I think about Chris and his desire to help and to create; I think about Harry and his pure vision of Jesus. And I think about Alex and how awesome it is to share this experience with my nephew and to watch him grow in his faith. I think about the number of youth who have come one or two times but have touched my heart in numerous ways.
I am so thankful for the adult leadership who have stepped up to serve: For my sister Jennifer who will do anything to get the word out about GUMY and help in any capacity to make sure it is a success; For Paige and her willingness to be a leader and her passion for making youth a priority in our church; for Kathi and her desire to make sure we have as many people involved as possible; for all of our listeners: Nora, Mike, Mark, Bob, Kelly, Jim, Jim & Rikki...and the dozen more who signed up this year. I am thankful for our meal preparers: Jen, Paige, Kathi, Margie, Larry & Patty...and the dozens who sign up for this year!
And I am thankful the parents, over the last decade plus, who have had the faith to trust us with their children for a few hours a week to share the Gospel. And I am particularly thankful for my parents who have given tireless hours of support to make this program a success.
But most important, I am thankful to God for how He knit this community of people together in a tapestry. I am amazed each day by how much love and support encompasses the youth program at GUMC. I am humbled to be a part of such an active ministry for Jesus and so very grateful for the opportunity to serve.
I can't wait for tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment