This past Saturday, the high school youth and their families took part in a special evening honoring our graduating seniors. The evening started with a dinner provided for everyone as an opportunity to fellowship and to introduce the evening. The rest of the time was spent in the Crossing in a time of worship and prayer, offering an opportunity for families to worship together and to “pass a blessing” on to our seniors who will graduate high school this year.
In preparing for this evening, we planned according to Lee’s vision of following the example of Christ in his last night with the disciples before His crucifixion. This included washing the feet of the seniors in an act of service, as Christ called us all to be servants. In John 13, Christ sets the example for His disciples in washing their feet, and makes His purpose on earth clear in Matthew 20:28 in saying “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” We pray that the students, as a result of Christ’s death and humility, would serve the world that they impact with the love of Christ.
The night continued as we took communion with the seniors, remembering and proclaiming the Lord’s death (Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) and celebrating what the Lord has done in each of our lives. The evening ended as each person in the room prayed over the seniors, praising the Lord for His faithfulness in their lives and seeking the Lord’s power and preparation in their lives as they face changes and a new phase in life. Oh that we would trust the Lord as faithful to complete His work in each of their lives! (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Going into this evening, I expected it to be a special time for each of our seniors and their families, but I was blown away by the love and compassion poured out in that room. I could not have even imagined the way the Lord moved in my heart in watching the prayers of friends and families, and especially in the expressions of parents for their children. I saw parents who really desired to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, now lifting up their children before His throne with earnest pleas for their hearts and lives, and in the same time encouraging their children to continue to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. It was beautiful! And if I am honest, it did at times make me miss the nearness of my own parents and their love, but the Lord gently reminded me that He calls me His child and loves me with a steadfast, everlasting love. The expressions of love shown by these parents to their children were only a small glimpse of the boundless love of our Savior and Lord! “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). May we rejoice in the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness, and rest in our Father’s arms as children of the eternal King!
-- Christie
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2 comments:
What a Beautiful description of that service, just reading about it restored my Faith in God's People and Families. We can so easily forget all the Wonderfully Spiritual happenings among us, when we dwell on our LITTLE CIRCLES! May this type of LOVE Service increase among the people of BBC!
One of the mothers at that service told me about it the other night and I was so proud that there is leadership in our church that would share this type of love and passing-on of the torch of faith and service to our young people that are about to go into the world and make their own lives. What a wonderful example! And when I read the description here on the blog, I was blown away and my heart was touched. I can only imagine the impression this had to make on the young people who had their leaders provide a living picture of service and love while washing their feet and challenging them in the same way that Jesus did. I have to commend Lee and Curtis for doing a job that is rarely seen in churches today with young people, when youth pastors are so tempted to just entertain kids. Thank you Lee for demonstrating a true and living Christianity and faith to our teenagers.
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