lessons from the young

Psalm 102:25-26a and 27, "In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.  They will perish, but You will remain...You remain the same, and Your years will never end."

So weird what will hit you and tilt your world.  A young man from our church went in for a wisdom tooth extraction and the unimaginable happens.  He lays in a coma, his journey on this earth possibly coming to an end.  The thing is I know of him, I do not know him.  My daughter belongs to the same high school group, she worked in the children's area with him, volunteered at camp with him.  I  think it hit me because my kids are in that age range...time to get the wisdom teeth out and without a thought really, because it is so common, you proceed...almost this right of passage.  And you just never know.

So, in days of praying I think what has come to me:

1)  In listening to Austin's testimony, he loves Jesus.  At a REMARKABLY young age he is able to identify his sin struggles and know his need for a Savior to have victory, freedom and life.

2)  In reading people's stories about him...Austin led another young man to Christ and baptized his friend this spring.  Decades my junior and he is unashamed to share the good news of Jesus' saving grace.  I am without excuse.

This man I have not yet met has tilted my world.  He has inspired me to be unashamed and share the love of Jesus with people.  To understand that I cannot wait for later, when it's more convenient, when I have all the answers.   To love someone enough to tell them about Jesus so they will know.

I was talking to my husband about where Austin is in his journey right now and my husband said he is still praying for a miracle.  I am too.  Last night, I begged God for a "hail Mary pass" knowing He is able to do all things.  Knowing that He who laid the foundations of the earth is over it all.  No matter Austin's time on earth or mine, our days are numbered.  One day we perish, but God remains.  He was and is and is to come.  His years never ending, His wisdom unfathomable.  

And I know that Austin's journey has already glorified Him.  The man I have yet to meet has changed me.  One day, when I do get to meet him...whenever that may be...I want to let him know.  The thing is, from all I have learned, read and heard, I have a feeling his response will be to point to the One who made the very heaven we will meet in.

Austin is the embodiment of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."  And I am grateful.