Third Lane Youth

Prom and graduation season is beginning to hit its stride. Students looking their best as they get ready for a memorable evening with friends as another school year comes to a close. For others, the end of the year marks the end of four years that seemed to fly by and the nerves of ?what comes next?? begin to settle in. What college will college will I go to? How far away is too far? How far is too far to come back on the weekend and have Mom do my laundry? The most obvious question that many ask as they look back at the year is ?did I do my best?? - A very valid question. It is always wise to approach each class and each subject with hard work, long hours of studying, and lots of Red Bull. A thought that may be over-looked but is very important to ask yourself is ?What kind of influence did I make?? More than getting A?s, scoring the last second goal, or nailing the last second goal, or nailing your French Horn solo in the school musical, what will your classmates remember about you?: your actions. Were you positive about your teachers and classmates, or did you get caught up in the drama? Did you get involved in community projects and random acts of kindness or did you just do as little as you could to get by. Campus Missionaries is a great idea, but we need to get creative about spreading the hope that is in Jesus. I am reminded of a well-timed, powerful, and brief commencement speech at Washington Community High School in Peoria, Illinois. The auditorium was filled with 92 graduating students, teary-eyed moms and dads, and other family and friends giving their support. The service was moving on in typical public high school fashion. However, there will be no prayer to bless the students as they move on because of a recent court order. There were well thought out speeches and encouraging words by students and faculty, but no one received a standing ovation; that was until the last student took the podium. The student gave his speech as normal but once he approached the end, he paused and all 92 students sneezed in unison! The student on the stage proudly took the microphone and said ?God Bless You, each and ever one of you!? And as he left the stage, (with smile to himself) the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. These students found a way to be creative and influence this ceremony with God?s blessing even if the courts ruled otherwise. May you be creative, may you be courageous, may you influence be an influencer.