A tough but unavoidable milestone

Tonight was the last time teaching at CRASH.  It's bitter sweet - Knowing that I'm doing my best to follow God's call to take the step of faith He has called me to while choking back tears as I look into the face of the teens that I have grown to love so much.  

I struggled for hours thinking about what my last teaching would be. Do I teach about God's amazing love? Should I talk about "my story" and how I came to know Jesus?  Too many good topics when you serve such and amazing God!  I moved on to encouraging my kids to "keep their eyes on the prize", and "run the race" - Run hard! Dream big! Focus on the goal! Never look back! 


"²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
I so desire for each of these wonderful teens to grow to be the man or woman of God that He has designed them to be. I want to hear great stories of these guys growing up and changing their worlds; being unashamed of the Gospel; proclaiming it boldly; loving others and seeing them through the eyes of our Heavenly Father!
Father God, be with these teenagers. Protect them and keep them in the shadow of your wings. Bless them to blessings to others. Teach them to see others as you see them, and to love others with Your love. Grow in them hearts that are hungry fro the truth and Spirits that are unquenchable. For Your glory... Amen.