Whether
it's old time erector sets, paper dolls, or robot construction, man's
feeble attempts to build a man are truly laughable. Man really only
learns how much more complex and wonderful our God-designed body made
in His image, is.
The
Teen Construction Begins
Once
the teen's self-esteem has been emptied, God begins the beautiful
character and spirit building process that has
no substitutes or shortcuts. The Pruning portion of the Pits Process
we discussed earlier, has a partner called Polishing. Polishing
through challenges and hard work amid deepening dedication to the
goal is how football teams are formed, groups of military soldiers
'get tough', and diamonds gain their luster and hardness too. What
are some of the memorable polishing you've experienced in your life?
Did this prepare you to better survive our enemy's attacks?
This
portion, like all of the 'Soar' trio of our Teen Bridge, almost
defies description in human language. God powerfully uses the third
person of the Trinity – The Holy Spirit to lead in the teen's
inside construction. Look at His qualifications in Ephesians 3:30...
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
“according
to the power that worketh in us” - that's the Holy Spirit.
If
you work backwards, you'll see an escalating of adjectives, building
to the skies. Try it. The Holy Spirit's abilities pertaining to our
asking and thinking...all, above all, abundantly above all, and then
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
Next
you want to see the paired words “exceeding abundantly”.
Connected together, they are far more powerful than either could
describe. Together they mean, “SUPER – SUPER ABUNDANTLY”.
That's what God uses to carry youth through their Pits Process in
preparation for their Crown and place of leadership, on this side of
Glory and then eternal fellowship with Him and all the saints.
Teens
must be reminded often, their own Pits Process experiences are all
noticed and controlled by God and are His polishing process to make
them shine, inside and outside, for Him. What are some polishing
events God used on His beloved Israel? How could reviewing these
events with teens, be ongoing reminders of God's love and desire for
us to be our best – in Him... and for Him?
What
was some of the Polishing that Joseph received in Potiphar's house
and in the prison that gave him God-given managing experience toward
his incredible position on the throne in Egypt?
Teens
want to be leaders having the esteem of others following their
instructions. This is really emphasized in the social networking's
“Follow Me.” But God wants this all to be based on His will and
His way. The painful part is, this takes dedication to goals, and
yes, patience.
Invite
a teen to help create a poster of the words of Jude 24. Then discuss
with them its meaning – especially the EXCEEDING JOY.
