Why are you here? Part 4

….Then came a fateful day:

I walked into chapel on a Tuesday in November planning to sleep, or at least act like I was sleeping.  I had the seat at the top of the bleachers where you could lean in and ‘rest.’  I figured that yet another pastor or teacher would drone on.  However, it was one of the guys I had been hanging out with on the weekend that was speaking that day.  Crazy!  Wait a minute, I thought.  He’s funny!  Why would he be talking about God?  He gave a simple message that day: live for God.  Live for God every day.   Something burned in my heart.  I’m not making that part up.  Seriously, I physically felt a yearning in my soul to have that kind of purpose.  I really believe God was calling my soul. 

 

That evening, in my room, I knelt and asked God to begin working in my life like he had been in my friend’s.  I had finally found something worth living for.   I found purpose.  My soul had found what it was meant for: to connect to my Creator and to live for His glory.  What does that mean?  Well, I hope that is a part of what comes out on these blogs.  The key for me was that, instead of God being a part of my life that I pulled out for special occasions and Sunday mornings, He became my whole life. 

So, why are you here?  Like any really worthwhile thing in life, you can’t answer it with one sentence.  Worthwhile things are too complex for that.  But I’d suggest that real, exciting, meaningful life begins here: connecting personally with the Father. 

Why are you here? Part 3

I was a freshman at LW in 1990.  Yes, I went to LW.  Weird, I know.  I grew up going to church and went to a Christian grade school.  I believed in God and even had moments of ‘I dig God,’ but something struck me on a Tuesday in November of that year. 

I was pretty stoked (how’s that for a ‘90s terms!) about high school because it was so different from grade school.  Teachers weren't harping on you for every little thing and there were so many new people!  In particular, I had made friends with a few upperclassmen and that was a major thrill!  I danced for the first time at a dance (what a concept!), actually liked some of my classes, and best of all, I started to go out on the weekend with friends. 

 

It was about this time that I began being really conscious of how I felt about myself and my life.  Maybe when I was younger I just didn’t think about it.  But, now, with all this exciting stuff happening I knew that I could feel good about myself when I had had a good time.  Going out with my upperclassmen friends on the weekend was a huge part of whether I could feel good or not. 

It was pretty shaky ground to base my life upon, however.  Arguments with parents, criticism, a boring weekend, getting dumped, all of these made me feel crummy and depressed.  Still, most of the time, I was in good spirits.  Then came a fateful day.

Why are you here? Part 2

Ok, so we addressed the survival element last time.  There’s got to be more to going to school than that.  Why are you here?

First, why ask?  So, let’s say you’re going to catch a plane in a few days.  Imagine how hard it would be to pack if you didn’t know where you were going.  Outside of that, think of how it would affect how you feel too.  There would be a big difference between finding out that you were going to a funeral versus going to Myrtle Beach.

Ok, yeah, I know most are saying “I’m at LW because my parents are sending me here.”  Ok, fine, we all have to deal with the fact that we don’t have control over everything.  Like it or not, you’re here.  Now start dreaming.  Yes, dreaming.  School is an opportunity.  Most of the world envies the chances you have.  This is the point where most people start thinking about careers.  That’s what school is for right?

This is where I’d say: we need to go higher.  We need to go from “Why are you here (at LW)?” to “Why are you here (at all)?”  I believe that our life experience is entirely affected by what we believe to be the answer to this question.  I’ll let you ponder that one until next time.

Why Are You Here? Part 1

Why are you here?  It’s a question worth asking in anything you get involved with.  Could it be that God has you here at Lutheran West on purpose?  My guess is: yes. 

So, high school.  What do you want from it?  Ask yourself that question.  Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to say.  What do YOU want? 

Let’s start from the ground floor.  There is a survival element going on.  You may simply want someone to eat lunch with you or say hi to you.  Some of you came in with friends, some have none, but even if you know people, you may not have them in every class.  In this area, you need two things: patience and guts.  It will take you time to get comfortable.  You could look at this as a nerve-wracking tragedy or…you could see it as an adventure.  You’re going on the ride either way so you might as well find joy in it.  Either way, in time you, yes you, will actually have a table to sit at in the lunchroom and will have people to say hi to in less time than you expect. 

But you also need guts.  I’m an introvert, so I know this is hard, but look o u t w a r d.  Instead of waiting for someone to invite you to sit next to them in a class or at lunch, why don’t you do the asking?  At the end of class ask someone what the homework was again (even if you already know!).  Say hi to that upper classman who has a locker next to you.  If they grunt, oh well.  20 bucks says that next time they’ll respond.  When you step toward people you are saying to them “I care about more than myself.”  People will feel drawn to you and feel comfortable with you and, go figure, you’ll get the friends you were looking for.

BTW, I know this is majorly difficult for you if you consider yourself “quiet.”  Do it anyway.  You don’t have to be the life of the party.  You just have to make some “first move” gestures. 

Consider this:  You’re doing more here than just getting comfy.  You’re becoming more like Christ.  Paul wrote in one of his letters : “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2: 3-4.

Why are you here? Part 4

….Then came a fateful day:

I walked into chapel on a Tuesday in November planning to sleep, or at least act like I was sleeping.  I had the seat at the top of the bleachers where you could lean in and ‘rest.’  I figured that yet another pastor or teacher would drone on.  However, it was one of the guys I had been hanging out with on the weekend that was speaking that day.  Crazy!  Wait a minute, I thought.  He’s funny!  Why would he be talking about God?  He gave a simple message that day: live for God.  Live for God every day.   Something burned in my heart.  I’m not making that part up.  Seriously, I physically felt a yearning in my soul to have that kind of purpose.  I really believe God was calling my soul. 

 

That evening, in my room, I knelt and asked God to begin working in my life like he had been in my friend’s.  I had finally found something worth living for.   I found purpose.  My soul had found what it was meant for: to connect to my Creator and to live for His glory.  What does that mean?  Well, I hope that is a part of what comes out on these blogs.  The key for me was that, instead of God being a part of my life that I pulled out for special occasions and Sunday mornings, He became my whole life. 

So, why are you here?  Like any really worthwhile thing in life, you can’t answer it with one sentence.  Worthwhile things are too complex for that.  But I’d suggest that real, exciting, meaningful life begins here: connecting personally with the Father. 

Why are you here? Part 3

I was a freshman at LW in 1990.  Yes, I went to LW.  Weird, I know.  I grew up going to church and went to a Christian grade school.  I believed in God and even had moments of ‘I dig God,’ but something struck me on a Tuesday in November of that year. 

I was pretty stoked (how’s that for a ‘90s terms!) about high school because it was so different from grade school.  Teachers weren't harping on you for every little thing and there were so many new people!  In particular, I had made friends with a few upperclassmen and that was a major thrill!  I danced for the first time at a dance (what a concept!), actually liked some of my classes, and best of all, I started to go out on the weekend with friends. 

 

It was about this time that I began being really conscious of how I felt about myself and my life.  Maybe when I was younger I just didn’t think about it.  But, now, with all this exciting stuff happening I knew that I could feel good about myself when I had had a good time.  Going out with my upperclassmen friends on the weekend was a huge part of whether I could feel good or not. 

It was pretty shaky ground to base my life upon, however.  Arguments with parents, criticism, a boring weekend, getting dumped, all of these made me feel crummy and depressed.  Still, most of the time, I was in good spirits.  Then came a fateful day.

Why are you here? Part 2

Ok, so we addressed the survival element last time.  There’s got to be more to going to school than that.  Why are you here?

First, why ask?  So, let’s say you’re going to catch a plane in a few days.  Imagine how hard it would be to pack if you didn’t know where you were going.  Outside of that, think of how it would affect how you feel too.  There would be a big difference between finding out that you were going to a funeral versus going to Myrtle Beach.

Ok, yeah, I know most are saying “I’m at LW because my parents are sending me here.”  Ok, fine, we all have to deal with the fact that we don’t have control over everything.  Like it or not, you’re here.  Now start dreaming.  Yes, dreaming.  School is an opportunity.  Most of the world envies the chances you have.  This is the point where most people start thinking about careers.  That’s what school is for right?

This is where I’d say: we need to go higher.  We need to go from “Why are you here (at LW)?” to “Why are you here (at all)?”  I believe that our life experience is entirely affected by what we believe to be the answer to this question.  I’ll let you ponder that one until next time.

Why are you here?

Why are you here?  It’s a question worth asking in anything you get involved with.  Could it be that God has you here at Lutheran West on purpose?  My guess is: yes. 

 

So, high school.  What do you want from it?  Ask yourself that question.  Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to say.  What do YOU want? 

Let’s start from the ground floor.  There is a survival element going on.  You may simply want someone to eat lunch with you or say hi to you.  Some of you came in with friends, some have none, but even if you know people, you may not have them in every class.  In this area, you need two things: patience and guts.  It will take you time to get comfortable.  You could look at this as a nerve-wracking tragedy or…you could see it as an adventure.  You’re going on the ride either way so you might as well find joy in it.  Either way, in time you, yes you, will actually have a table to sit at in the lunchroom and will have people to say hi to in less time than you expect. 

But you also need guts.  I’m an introvert, so I know this is hard, but look o u t w a r d.  Instead of waiting for someone to invite you to sit next to them in a class or at lunch, why don’t you do the asking?  At the end of class ask someone what the homework was again (even if you already know!).  Say hi to that upper classman who has a locker next to you.  If they grunt, oh well.  20 bucks says that next time they’ll respond.  When you step toward people you are saying to them “I care about more than myself.”  People will feel drawn to you and feel comfortable with you and, go figure, you’ll get the friends you were looking for.

BTW, I know this is majorly difficult for you if you consider yourself “quiet.”  Do it anyway.  You don’t have to be the life of the party.  You just have to make some “first move” gestures. 

Consider this:  You’re doing more here than just getting comfy.  You’re becoming more like Christ.  Paul wrote in one of his letters : “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2: 3-4.