Promise

January 5, 2013

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. - Psalm 139:14


When my oldest daughter was in preschool, during the first program I attended, the children sang a song: "I am a promise. I am a possibility.  I am a promise with a capital P. I am a great big bundle of potentiality.   And I am learnin' to hear God's voice and I am tryin' to make the right choice I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be anything God wants me to be."  - (Bill and Gloria Gaither)

The children's voices rang out so loud and filled up the entire auditorium.  Some had serious faces but most had great big smiles.  As they sang, each word rang clear, yet the emphasis was on the three p's, promise, possibility, potentiality.  The audience was reminded that promise was quite important with that GREAT BIG CAPITAL "P."  I have never forgotten
that experience, the faces of the children including my daughter's.

So often we hear of our troubled schools. We also are aware of the many challenges the young generation face today.  These challenges are more intense, the battle that the enemy
 the devil, is raging against them is constant and rapid. Fast temptations, centered around
quick decisions are a constant threat.

 It has been my experience throughout many years of working with youth in various capacities that many  doubt their self-worth. There are three factors that stand out 1) many lack the understanding of the promise that is their future, 2) some do not recognize the possibilities/opportunities that are available to them through hard work and the development of their gifts 3) several do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and therefore are not aware of their full potential as a member of the Body of Christ.

My Pastor often says if you come with a problem offer a solution.  The problem is that many of our children and youth are hurting and need to be reminded of the three p's.  The solution
is Jesus Christ as presented by the Body of Christ.  Reach out to a young person and tell them about the Lord.  Remind them that He cares and that you do also if they happen to belong to your congregation. Reward success.  Acknowledge good grades, good manners, "just being you." 

There is an old saying, "If you do what you always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."  Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." - St. John 14:12

That is a PROMISE!

God bless!

Sis. Stephanie D. K. Tyus