The Biggest Loser

When was the last time you heard of someone losing 52 pounds in 4 months. Well we all saw it firsthand last Friday night as the speaker weighed in on the stage. He had been working hard for several months to lose 50 pounds by PBC Youth Rally. He challenged us all to examine our lives. Just as he had to eat less and commit to more exercise we too as Christians need to give some things up and be more committed.

Saturday we were challenged to think about our lives and who we are trying to magnify. Most of the time we magnify ourselves. We were encouraged to be the magnifying glass that magnifies God. We all have many choices to make each day and almost all of them can be related back to the question of does my decision magnify God or self. Let me share the example that we were challenged to consider. Let’s say your youth group planned a service day to go help an elderly couple with some things around their yard and house. You have committed to being there and your youth minister is encouraged by your willingness to help out. Friday night, the night before the service project a friend from school calls you up and informs you that he has an extra ticket to the Clemson game (your favorite team) and they are leaving in the morning at 10 am. What do you do? Which decision magnifies God and which one magnifies self? Just as the teens were challenged last weekend to look at each decision in this light I would like to ask each of us to do the same.

The weekend was also full of games that not only got you out of your comfort zones but also caused us all to let down our guard. We had to be willing to make a fool of ourselves on a stage in front of 130 other people. The games also provided a great avenue for us all to get to know other teens and adults from 12 other congregation around the southeast. If you missed out on this wonderful retreat this year, don’t let it happen two years in a row.

Will Tucker, Youth and Family Minister