2 Timothy 2

A new year is starting with youth, and naturally, I find myself questioning whether I am deserving to be a youth leader. When I look at my life from this summer, it really isn't "godly". This whole summer I struggled with the same old struggles I have always had: the desire to be worldly and fit in, the desire to feel accepted, the desire to have fun over anything. Now it's September and I am so thankful to be past my summer job, which was the root of my summer struggles.

Still, I have so much to learn about what it means to be a Christian, even though I've been one forever. 2 Tim 2 was a reminder of that today. Just some things that stuck out to me:

"No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer."--Well, fail on that. I'm pretty good at getting tangled in "civilian affairs". Lord, I just pray for the focus in life. Help me to focus on that singular purpose--to bring glory to You.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the gospel. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." How true. Godless chatter=big sin for me. How odd that something I know to be so wrong still makes it's way into my life. Lord, please begin to change this in me.

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Yeah, I guess I'm still youth, but seriously, it's time to grow up. Seeing the way other church members spend their time and act reminds me that I can do so much better. I am a role model, and that's a serious, God-given role.