This past year we have baptized 10 new believers at Adrian Christian Church. I believe that fact is worth celebrating over and over. Interestingly enough all of our new converts have been people under the age of 18. They are young people with their full lives ahead of them. It makes me do a little personal reflection as I was 8 when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and was baptized.

This reflection has me thinking about all of the experiences I have seen as a Christian and as a pastor. I really wish I could set down with anyone wanting to be a Christian or with anyone who is new to the faith and tell them a few things. Here is what I really want you to know:

1. A life of faith is full of hard choices. To stay true to God you will sometimes have to stop doing something that feels good in the moment. You will have to choose your family over money and fun. You will have to sever relationships and form new ones. You will have to tell people hard truth. Usually if the choice is easy, it is not from God.

2. You will never know where God is taking you. Just keep doing the right thing that is right in front of you. God will lead you in directions you never imaged to do things you never dreamed. One day you will look back in wonder at the journey of your life.

3. Many of your friends will quit the faith. This will be one of the most painful things you experience on your journey with God. Cherish those people who stay committed to their faith for a lifetime.

4. Evil will attack you. This will come in many forms. Bad things will happen. People will hurt you. Your body will give out. People you love will die. Your emotions will be scarred deeply. It happens to everyone. That does not mean that God does not love you.

5. There are days you will want to give up on God. Every Christian I know has struggled with doubts. There will be times you want to take the easy road. Days will come when your faith will feel weak in the light of the hard choices you have to make and the evil that is attacking you. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

6. Become deeply connected to a local church congregation. Yes, every group of believers has their problems, but the good far outweighs the bad. These people will serve you, care for you, pray for you, teach you, push you and make you into a better person for God. Do not give up on them.

7. There will be times when you are utterly surprised. God will show up. People will do the right thing. Generosity will abound. I have often been shocked at the unpredictability of Christian and the God they serve. I still cannot believe some of the events in my life and I saw it all first hand.

8. Thank God every day for all the good things in your life. It is easy to focus on the negative, which is why so many people do it. Everyday thank God in your prayers. Every day tell someone how you are glad God brought them into your life. Fight hard against bitterness and the negative emotions that come naturally. Be grateful and as your life progresses you will develop into a sweet spirit instead of a bitter old person.

9. Let go of grudges and guilt. Forgive others and accept God’s forgiveness. Do this daily, weekly and yearly. It will help you in every way. Do your best to make things right and then let it go. Don’t live as a hostage to your past.

10. Never forget that eternal life is our goal. In the Gospel of John numerous people hear a message from Jesus and begin to quit following him. Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life.” The Christian life will have huge high moments and some very deep low times but we endure those for the reward of life eternal. You will one day attend a funeral and wonder “Where are they now?” Live in such a way that no one has to wonder that about you.

I would love to explain all of these to our young believers but I know one more thing about youth. They will have no clue until they have experienced it themselves. I only hope that one tiny little piece of information lodges in their brain and it helps them in their life of faith.