After Burn: The Friendship Plan (Week 4)

Last night we finished out our series about friendship.  We talked about how part of the way God designed friendships were so that our friends would influence and shape us.  It's God's desire that in a friendship (really any relationship) both people are helping the other to become more like Jesus.  So I thought I'd share three ways that teenagers, especially the ones I work with, have helped/are helping me to be more like Jesus. 

Perspective - It's great talking with students about life.  Someone will ask a question or make a comment and I'll see things in a new light.  All of the sudden things I thought were important no longer are as important.  That's helpful.  Focusing on eternal is better than focusing on the temporary.   

Transparency - I am continually amazed at how open and honest teenagers are.  They don't always share the most personal, secret stuff.  But a lot of times they freely talk about hopes, dreams, disappointments, fears, anger, etc.  This take a lot of courage.  It's risky to share personal things like that.  There are times I want to stay closed off, safe and guarded.  But that's not like Jesus.  He was a risk taker.  Teenagers are helping me take some of the same risks.


Fun - Teenagers are fun.  They know what fun is, where to find it, and how to have it.  I laugh the most when I'm around students.  Being with them helps me fight off the grumpy old man syndrome.  Laughing and enjoying life is definitely like Jesus. 

These are just a few of the ways that God is using the students in my life to shape me to be more like Christ.  I'm glad that I can call them friends. 

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