It’s been a long day. As I settle in for sleep, I recall the good things of the day.
This morning, I spoke at a meeting for young women on a local college campus. I looked in their sweet faces and was reconnected with a once familiar feeling; one that made me affectionately appreciate how hard it is to be young.
We don’t often think like that. It seems that complaining is better tolerated from those whose youth has long since faded. These young women know they hold a crown of life for which others feel envy and it leaves them respectfully reluctant to voice concerns that could seem petty. What could they possibly be worried about anyway? They’re young and they have their whole lives ahead of them, right?
But that’s just it: they’re young and they have their whole lives ahead of them. There is trepidation in that; especially when you want to live your life right for Jesus.
The beautiful girls that sat in front of me today were filled with this desire. It was evident in their attentive and gentle eyes and their willingness to absorb anything that could be of encouragement. This world doesn’t make their faith walk easy. But they give me hope; that a generation of strong young women are rising up. To be leaders. And teachers. And lovers of the gospel. And women who want nothing more than to make a difference with the way they impact the Kingdom in love. I barely know them. Yet I feel proud of them. I want to encourage them with everything in me.
I want them to feel safe and allow themselves to be loved and protected by the Father who sees them as the priceless treasures they are. It is my sincere hope they reach out when the fear is overwhelming and feels threatening to their foundation of faith. It is my belief they will become more and more confident in the power of God living inside them. It is my prayer that each one of them evolves into the great woman of God He has predestined them to be.
God is good. Sometimes, just looking in the eyes of a young woman filled with faith is a powerful reminder of that. He is on the move. He resides in their conviction. When they rise up, something big will happen.
And the fire of faith will burn on.
For that, and so many other good things, I take sleep tonight with peace in my heart and with gratitude for my new young friends. I can’t wait to see what God will do through their tender and willing hearts.
Lord, thank you for each one of them. Fan the flame as only you can.