Final Thoughts

How would you know if what you said was getting across to teenage students? How would you know what to say, or how to say it? You can prepare for hours, in fact months. You can write down lots of ideas, sort through what seems to be endless thoughts. You can worry, fret, or become discouraged with what you processing. Then, you stand in front of 54 people. All looking at you, waiting for you to deliver God’s message. They anticipate good things, and wait on your every word. You look into their eyes, and you see hunger. You see discouragement. You see brokenness. You can’t help but feel some of their pain. You also see joy. You see contentment. You can’t help but wonder why God has put you in this position. Of all people in this world, why would He choose you to bring His message to a bunch of suburban Pittsburgh teenagers?

Then you start to see fruit. You see fruit that can only be explained by the Holy Spirit working. You start to sense that hearts are being touched. Lives are potentially being changed for eternity. You see people breaking down in tears. Others hugging one another and bringing comfort. You see people laughing, as though they were laughing with a joy that only God could give. Slowly, one by one they come up you and ‘thank’ you for sharing. They look into your eyes, and you see a genuine gratefulness.

It hits you. It humbles you. It causes you to look upward toward the Heavens and rejoice in Jesus. It can’t be you. There is no way. You didn’t even stick to your notes or to what you spent so much time preparing. However, you know in your heart that it was never you speaking. It was the Holy Spirit. You are overwhelmed with encouragement in the Lord. A peace that passes all understanding now rules in your heart.

You walk knowing that God worked. That God again proved His Lordship over all. You walk away rejoicing. You walk away in prayer for those who just got hit hard, like a deer getting hit by a car. You pray that God will continue to nurture their souls. That God will send to them people who can encourage them and lift them up. You walk away, knowing that you have done what God has asked you to do. Now you pray that God will protect your thoughts and your heart. You pray that God will keep you from thinking the wrong things. That you won’t become discouraged. That you will be content with what was said. You pray that God’s Words would resonate in your heart, as well in the students’ hearts.

What a joy that would be. What a great thing to be a part of. Praise to Him who saves us, so that we may do His good work.