Most of the time we think of a rebel as something bad - something negative. Specifically, we think of a rebel as someone who doesn't like to follow rules. But, I want to encourage you to be a rebel in a positive way. I want to challenge you to go against the flow, to say no to what is popular, to resist peer pressure. I want to challenge you to strive to do the right thing, to stand up for those who need help, and to stand up for what is right and true and good. I challenge you to resist the devil and to live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, in the footsteps of Jesus.
Being a rebel for a positive cause is hard, much harder than living a life going along with the crowd. You may get hurt. You may be shunned. You may even be persecuted. But you know what? You will find that living this new life as a rebel will do amazing things for you. You'll notice that you have a lot less drama. You'll notice that you have a lot less stress. You may even notice a positive change in your whole attitude, as well as in everything you do. If you're having a hard time at home, you may see those relationships improve. If you're struggling in school, you may find those struggles diminish. And if you find yourself feeling depressed, you may become aware of an inner peace that you've never had before. It actually will make you feel better to know you are doing what is right. There is a calmness that comes when you are living your life to the glory of God instead of to receive the praises of a few friends.
There is a great site for teens about being a positive rebel. It's at www.therebelution.com and the two guys who founded this cause focus on rebelling against low expectations by doing hard things. I love this concept!! I'm a firm believer in striving to be EXCELLENT and expecting the best out of myself and others. Not that I or any one else is perfect, of course, but that we don't settle for mediocrity in our attitudes, performance, leadership, responsibilities, commitments, and service.
The website mentioned uses 1 Timothy 4:12 as its key verse. I'll close with an excerpt from their site:
In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." In other words, as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility. We call it the "myth of adolescence." And the Rebelution is all about busting that myth.
1 comment:
You've done a great job raising some rebels!
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