As I was getting Little Ambrose set up in the van for the short drive to church Sunday morning, I heard a song on the radio that reminded me that, despite all the time we spent studying last year’s Theme – “I AM” - we really didn’t fully explore every aspect of this Theme. The song I heard, “Dear Younger Me” by MercyMe, was one I meant to utilize at some point last year, but, for some reason, never got around to using. The song is about what the writer would say to his younger self if he had the chance to go back in time. He wonders what kind of advice he would give to his younger self that would help smooth out the years.
Doesn’t this sound like a great idea? Have you ever dreamed about how different your life might have been with a little fore-knowledge of the future? The writer of “Dear Younger Me” even uses the words we probably all think sometime: “If I knew then what I know now”.
What the writer finally decides is that he would remind his younger self of something which I hope all of us at least began to realize from our exploration into last year’s theme. We actually spent a lot of time learning about who were are in Christ. But here, the writer of this song boils it down to its essence, and captures it in a way that makes it easy to remember:
You are holy, you are righteous,
You are one of the redeemed.
Set apart, a brand new heart,
Oh you are free indeed.
This is what it means to be in Christ. This is who I Am; this is who you are. We would do well to remember this in 2020.
As we begin exploring the Theme for the New Year – “Vision 20/20” - I can’t help but wonder what I will miss, how much I will neglect to mention, what I will fail to “see” and share regarding this topic. I pray that you will help me here. Please let me know of your thoughts concerning spiritual vision; let me know about scriptures you believe will help us, or song lyrics or movie quotes that might be useful and encouraging. We are walking through this year together, and we need to help each other as we go.
I am “looking” forward to “seeing” us all become more of what The Lord has called us to be, and to “seeing” how He will use TOCC to strengthen and grow His Kingdom this year – aren’t you?
~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey
