I woke up one summer morning watching a hard, jaded general contractor sleeping in the middle of a room of high schoolers at a summer workcamp. As tears came to my eyes, all I could do is shake my head – how could this happen? The first time I met this guy, he scared me. He was rough. He was intimidating. He had an agenda and he was going to get ‘er done. And then something happened, I got a nudge to invite him on our annual summer workcamp experience where we went along with 400+ students to local communities and did home repair. In my disbelief, he said yes, as long as he was not responsible if he strung up a couple of kids if they got on his nerves. I honestly didn’t know if he was serious or not, but the Holy Spirit said go for it. Throughout the week I kept an eye out for him and the students he was around, secretly praying that no harm would come to the students and wondering if I had made a mistake. And then there was the moment. The moment when he came to me and with tears in his eyes I saw how Jesus had given him a heart for the next generation long ago, that it had been hardened over time because of bad experiences and poor opportunities, but that through this week Jesus had melted back the years and pain and reawakened a calling. I saw a man’s heart break for the next generation and who would become a bulldog for years in making opportunities for students to feel valued and cared for in the local church. I saw a man’s passion be ignited.
Over the years I have seen men and women of every age and background step into callings and passion for the next generation. From a bully, to a college professor, to an abused and used young woman, to a professional businessman, to a middle age stay at home mom, to an overlooked nice guy, I have seen dozens of people step into a passion and calling for students. Not only have they become alive, but hundreds of students have followed in their wake.
Key Learning Number Three– It Is Never Too Late … for Passion and Calling to be Ignited.
It is true! No matter what life situation you find yourself in, it is not too late, the opportunity has not passed you by. I have seen time and time again people come alive as they let a calling from Jesus be ignited in them. If you are hearing a voice that says you are too old or you are disqualified because of what you have done or not done – tell the voice to shut up, ask Jesus to clarify the calling/passion and contact your pastor/ youth pastor, take them out for coffee and see what Jesus might do.
I believe there are thousands of unfulfilled callings to lead and impact the next generation that are frozen in the hearts of hurt and disbelieving people that are waiting to be unocked and unleashed. You matter. It’s not too late.