This is the beginning of July, month 7 out of 12. This is week 27 out of 52. This is the week where the book mark in our family Bible is exactly half way between the front cover and the back cover. In our society that values the clock, especially the minute hand and the second hand, this is a time to pause--take a quick look back and then set our sights forward.

Two questions that you could use to jumpstart such a reflection come from our Youth Director, Stacey Powdrell. She uses them to help our youth reflect on their own lives. Maybe they could help you too:

1. Where am I at spiritually?

2. What goals can I set to assist me in spiritual growth?

These two questions are meant to help each of us to consider where we might be on a spectrum between spectator, seeker, believer, disciple, or leader when it comes to our relationship to Jesus Christ.

We might be tempted to think that such reflection and goal setting is kind of legalistic, the antithesis of grace, but as one archer put it, "Aim at nothing and you're sure to hit that target everytime." What's your target in life? Do you know at what you're aiming? Is it a target like Paul's in Philippians 3:12-16? Stacey's questions for our youth are right in line with Paul's encouragement to the ancient church and to our church today.

Next week, I get the treat to accompany Stacey and our youth to Goldrush, a conference for students by students, at Perimeter PCA in Atlanta. It will be a time where students will worship together, absorb solid biblical teaching, and be challenged to ask themselves about the targets at which their lives are aiming. Join us by praying for the youth, the leaders, and the conference itself. But please also join us by taking time to reflect on these questions in your own life as we look forward to the second half of 2014.

In Him,

Tag