Welcome to being a twenty-something - aka the best/worst time of your life.
This the best time of your life because you are learning and developing who you are as a person. Exploring new parts of this world that were previously unknown. Trying new things and risking it all because you don't really have all that much to lose just yet and ultimately becoming more of "you" every day. This is also the worst time of your life because this is when expectations meet reality, and they don't always exactly agree. This is when a whimsical, or even rash, decision could affect the rest of your life. You have so much to do - aka given so many opportunities - and so little time to accomplish everything - aka learning valuable time management skills. However, some of us are discovering/rediscovering God and all His glory, making this simultaneously the best time, where we connect with the love and grace that comes with a Christ relationship, and the worst times, as we realize how poorly we measure up to Jesus's godly example and begin the arduous task of straightening this winding road we've been traveling. No matter who you are though, it's easy to focus on the negative and forget about all the wonderful things that come with being in this season of life. For those of us who've received Jesus, and for those who are still discovering everything the world has to offer, here's the top 5 verses of scriptures that I think every twenty-something should hear before they start thinking that this time has no "bests" and has become nothing but "worsts".
2 Timothy 4:7
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
These are Paul's famous last words, mostly because he could confidently utter them as he lay on his deathbed. Paul is the next best example of Godly love, behind Jesus, because of his gracious love and steadfastness. In fact, it was his unwavering faith that makes him so inspirational to many Christians; his faith in Christ's word is something we can all learn from. When we face that inevitable wall of hardship, where it seems like nothing is going right, we must face is squarely, because this suffering is the foundation of growth and maturity, and when we finally overcome this obstacle, it will make that accomplishment all the more victorious.
Colossians 4:5 & 6
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
This is great advice from good ol' Paul. Who's an outsider in your life? Do you treat them to engaging conversation, or do you check Twitter/Facebook to avoid any potential awkwardness that might ensue from approaching a new person? Spoiler alert: I'm usually the latter. However, you never know how a random, graceful, flavorful conversation might positively impact both yours and the other person's life. Who knows? Maybe this person who you almost avoided turns out to be a lifelong friend.
Isiah 55:9-13
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
Not only is Isiah slaying some imagery here, he brings God's word of encourage to us as well. God has a purpose for the the storms and seasons that pass through your life. Verse 10 says that the rain and snow will melt away to bring new life, so rain and snow are necessary in your life for a new bud to blossom. My pastor once said this profound statement: "Don't let the presence of the storm cause you to doubt the presence of the Lord." Don't worry boo, He got you, and you got Him.
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see.
A big theme for the next few years as we grow and develop will be faith. We simply have to believe that things will work out. If we don't believe and have faith, then what are we left with? Most of us are poor and single anyways, so frankly, we aren't left with much without it. We simply must believe and hold an optimistic outlook in order to make it on the other side any better than when we came into it.
Psalm 25 (that's right the whole dang thing, but verses 11 & 15 really get me every time!)
1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
2 In you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, Lord, is in you.
22 Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
Never has any verse ever affected me more than this one right here. Not only is the language beautiful and moving, but it's just such a broad cry for help and encouragement. It's so easy to lose sight of your goals or direction, or even who you are, as you try to discover those same things. This verse has every emotion of a person striving to carry on, emotions which I have certainly felt.
Guys, we are bound to face difficult times throughout this life, but looking to loved ones and scripture can help remind us the the good times often outweigh the bad. These are just a few verses and thoughts that help me get through those crazy days when I live on coffee and the phrase "everything's fine!", even when things are clearly not fine and I smell colors because of the copious amounts of caffeine I ingest. Even on those days, I promise that the "bests" far and away outnumber the "worsts". Just remember, this is a season of life when failing is okay, branching out is encouraged, and questions about the future and "if you'll ever find a nice girl/boy to settle down with" are inevitable. Roll with the punches! Go do something spontaneous! But above all, have faith.
