Whew, it has been an exciting and taxing week. I just started working as a counselor for Especially for Youth (EFY). EFY is a really neat program, where youth ages 14-18 get together to have fun and learn spiritually and socially. I went to EFY four times while I was that age, and I loved it. I am excited to spend my summer with some amazing youth, many of whom cannot yet see their value and potential.
Tonight I was trying to relax a little, so I got in our hot tub. After a while, I turned off the jets to enjoy some peace and quiet. That's when Bigfoot jumped over my fence and scared the living daylights out of me...just kidding; I'm just making sure you're paying attention. As I was just sitting in the water, I noticed that the farther away I moved my hands and the closer I brought them to the surface, the smaller they appeared. My best attempt to get as far away and as close to the surface as possible produced the look of a baby's tiny hands. However, each time I brought my hands out of the water, they returned to their normal shape and size.
I must have been in a contemplative mood, because this change of perspective intrigued me and I spent several minutes moving my hands and legs around and observing them. That was more difficult to explain that I imagined, but here's the point: at times our perspective becomes skewed and we appear to be much smaller than we actually are. I pray I can help pull your hands out of "the water" so that you can see your value a little more clearly.
The reason you and I and every person has inherent value is because we are all children of God. He loves us, knows us, and cares for us. Sometimes we define ourselves by our weaknesses or our imperfections, but God doesn't. He defines us by our strengths and our potential, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming. If you want to know what God thinks of you, just ask Him. I know He loves and values you. My aim this summer is to help the youth I work with recognize this truth.
No comments:
Post a Comment