Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
I had a lot going on when I was in 7th grade. I started playing basketball that year, I played baseball that summer, and I began playing with the high school band. (At my school, the 7th-8th grade were treated the same as the high school.) I remember working harder at my academics, and I even began to try to expand my social circle. It was a crazy time, and I think everyone can agree that it’s one of the most important times in a young person’s life.
If you’re in middle school right now, you need to know that the decisions you make now will direct the course of your life. Should you choose to seek God, then you will be a godly and prosperous adult. If you choose to do otherwise, the chances of you making it spiritually are slim!
I’m sad to say that many of my friends began to do drugs in 7th grade. The dating relationship began to change from innocent to something more serious. The struggles my peers had later were all the result of decisions they made way back when they were lowly middle schoolers. There are three things you should decide for yourself now, before you even hit high school. (As a note, it is never too late to make these decisions!)
1. Walk with God
Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The best thing you can do for your Christian life is develop a strong relationship with God. Those who walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory he sheds on their way! Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow. They may just be songs, but they were written by mature Christians who knew the importance of walking with God every single day.
2. Wait for Your Mate
Genesis 2:22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Your partner in life is the second most important relationship you’ll have. God says that when two people get married, they become one! That means that whatever kind of person you marry will become a part of you. It is wise to wait until after high school to start searching for who you will marry. Why? Because you should be spending your teen years building a strong relationship with God, so that you can better serve your mate in marriage.
3. Go to Bible College
Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Schools ask students as early as fourth grade what they want to be when they grow up. I would hope, if you’re a Christian, that part of your answer would be a strong Christian. Listen, not everyone is going to be a preacher or a full-time servant, but everyone is called to spread the Gospel and to live a holy life. Jesus’ disciples spent 3 ½ years following Christ himself, learning everything they could from Jesus’ own personal ministry. The Lord would be pleased if you decided early on, as a 7th grader, even, that you would give your first year out of school to God by attending Bible college.
Jesse McCammon | Pastor
Flora Calvary Baptist Church | Flora, Illinois
www.floracalvarybaptist.com