I thought this posting by Troy Gramling was a good reminder for everyone still celebrating birthdays:
Children 0-12: “Live life, play whiffle ball, enjoy the freedom of summer, go to the movies, and enjoy your friends, begin your relationship with God.”
Teenager 13-19: “Time to get serious about finding out your destiny, begin the quest, invest time in relationships that will last a life time, don’t get to focused on the opposite sex instead focus on finding out who you are and what God has for you to do. Enjoy school and the social life that is apart of it drama, band, athletics etc… Your spiritual life is now up to you, you MUST develop your OWN relationship with our Savior that will guide you in the next decade.”
Young Adult 20-29: “Stop playing video games until 1am. You are building a foundation that the rest of your life will stand on. Enjoy your health. The biggest difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is this decade. Give college and your first job everything you have. Don’t let yourself get distracted from your love relationship with the Savior.”
Adult 30-39: “Don’t let up. It’s tempting to take a break during this decade. Pay the price. Remember your spouse will be with you when the kids are gone, love your kids but don’t let them kidnap your relationship with your spouse. Invest in your social life even though you are incredibly busy because you will need a community for the next decade. You’ve now spent 30yrs in a relationship with your Savior enjoy it, drink deep.”
Middle Age 40-49: “Don’t let all the things you haven’t accomplished yet overwhelm you. Celebrate 40 years of life, walk closely with your spouse this may be the most dangerous decade yet. Practice a Sabbath. Enjoy your friends. Don’t retire, there is still much to do. Look for opportunities to teach what you have learned. Trust God with the reality that life is short.”
Related posts:
Does Life end at age 50? That’s where I’m at. And I wonder, can God still use an “older-than-young-to-middle-aged man? Jason, I understand your ministry and calling to Gen-Y and you’ve got a fantastic site here, so please don’t take my question as criticism. I asked God that question first anyway. In this long dry season and dark cavern I’m in, there is one beam of hope and faith I cling to, “I will Restore the YEARS the Locust has eaten” (GOD speaking in Joel 2:25). That word came to me in 1995, …yet to be fulfilled.
stacie-thanks for sharing. the challenge is out there but so is the great opportunity.
Awesome post.
I also fit in the “Young Adult 20-29″ range. Quite a challenge and honor all at the same time.
thanks heredes for the comment. cheering you on!
I agree big time ..I also thoroughly enjoyed this post..
I’m here now: between 20-29 — no pressure:
“The biggest difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is this decade. ”
Thanks for the reminder.
-Heredes
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor