A Letter to My Fifteen-Year-Old Self | By Marcus Stenson

Click here to read the full article at RENEW.org: https://renew.org/a-letter-to-my-fifteen-year-old-self/  This is an audio version of a written Article from RENEW.org Check out other great articles on RENEW.org here: https://renew.org/articles/ *Editor’s Note: If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? How would you advise your younger self in navigating the difficulties? What would you tell yourself to stop obsessing about, and what would you tell yourself to go all in with? Marcus Stenson is a preacher and founding member of the disciple making organization “Be1Make1.” In this letter, Marcus imagines what he might say to help his fifteen-year-old self hang in there when it gets tough and pursue what matters. How can a teenager handle tough identity questions and personal tragedies in ways that grow their faith in God stronger? As you read, let Marcus’s letter help you imagine how you might help guide younger people who could use wisdom and encouragement for what lies ahead.  Hey man, I’m writing to put you on game ahead of time. You don’t realize it yet, but I’m just one of a multitude of voices God has put in your life to guide you. Know this: none of this is by accident. Remember when Papaw passed away? How only then you realized then how lucky you were to have an example like him? Remember the dream he visited you in? I know it crushed you, but it also motivated you. Chase it down. I want you to know ahead of time that you’re incredibly gifted, but you owe all of what you will become to God and to the people He has given you. So cherish them. Realize that for every single person you know, some day you are going to talk to them for the last time, see them for the last time…and you never know when that is going to be. So make sure you live gratefully and graciously with them. Tell them how important they are, and most important of all, pay it forward. Be for others what they have been for you. Do this as often as you can, as deeply as you can, for every single person God brings across your path. You never know who needs your story. Speaking of that…I’m proud of you. You’re just starting to sense that there’s a larger story at work here. It’s confusing, I know. So far, you’ve spent most of your time trying to figure out where you belong. Growing up on both sides of the tracks has its benefits, but it’s true that you’ve never really “fit” in anywhere. Enjoy it! You’re never going to look back and regret your crisp J’s pulled up to a game of D&D with your guys. Listen for more... Join RENEW.org's Newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Join RENEW.org at one of our upcoming events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Get our Premium podcast feed featuring all the breakout sessions from the RENEW gathering early.  https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW