A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of being the special speaker at a combined youth lock-in event in Des Moines, Iowa. Three distinct churches were represented and I thoroughly enjoyed my time interacting with the youth that were present. During my talk with the teens, I discussed “How to Overcome Middle of the Pack Syndrome”. In other words, I discussed how to rise above the average and become leaders in this world, not just followers…to be “culture-creators” instead of “culture-cavers”. I had 12 points, and they were as follows:

1) Do little things well (Luke 16:10).

2) Remember that any decision is better than no decision (Luke 9:62).

3) Don’t assume you have all the time in the world (James 4:14).

4) Stop using your personality as an excuse for why you do or don’t do something (1 Thess. 5:23).

5) Learn to verbalize your thoughts, not merely emote them (Prov. 25:11).

6) Embrace your maleness or femaleness (Gen. 1:27).

7) View your money as a tool to be stewarded, not stuff to be hoarded (2 Cor. 9:7).

8) When you grow up and get married and move out, be sure to leave and cleave emotionally as well (Gen. 2:24).

9) Please do grow up and get married (if you have that spiritual gift) and move out (Gen. 2:24)!

10) Start viewing ALL life (i.e. your own, the elderly, the handicapped) through the lens of significance and beauty (Ps. 139:14).

11) Remember, especially if you’re a dude, the Church needs you (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1).

12) Relationships are both the cream and chaos of life, but love is more than a feeling (1 Cor. 13).

Bottom Line: This world needs leaders…individuals who go beyond merely caving into culture, but instead create culture. So stop expecting life to be easy. It’s not! Life demands that you rise above the average and do this thing called life for God’s glory, your good, and the good of others that will follow you.

Thoughts for teens…thoughts for you…God bless!