Joy Isaguirre | Musings of a Blog Convert

During the National Youth Conference hosted by PCEC entitled “Youth Factor 2″, five of the most influential speakers of our time shared different ways how young people could ignite and show their Passion for Excellence, the Nation, Family, Purity, and Passion for the Glory of God. 

left: Chino Trinidad; right: Gary Valenciano

Their messages can be summed up with a simple acrostic:

Y – Yield to the design of God

God has placed in us the desire and will to do greater things for His glory. Doing everything with the sole purpose of making people see God in us, not just by word but more importantly through actions.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

A person doesn’t have to be a celebrity in order to have an impact on others, s/he just have to do what God has called him/her to do and be driven with God’s passion in order to touch people for eternity.

Be sensitive enough to know what God wants you to do, what He requires of you in a certain situation.  This can only be accomplished by the amount of time we spend with Jesus. By spending time with Him, showing our willingness to know and follow Him. Then He will show Himself to us little by little, and help us to know and accomplish His perfect will in our lives.

O – Opt to prioritize your family.

As young people, let us not reverse our role in the family.  Simply because a person is gifted or intelligent doesn’t mean s/he should act like a parent.  Regardless of our gifts and talents, we have to obey and honor our parents.

Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Yes, there are many dysfunctional families because parents did not train for parenthood. But try to view and understand that there is no such thing as a school for parents and no course in parenthood. Nobody can and should run away from his/her family.

If there are problems in the family, let us strive to be the vessel that will help correct the defect in our family. Be an example, live a life that will help gain the respect of the older generation. (1 Timothy 4:12)

U – Understand the issue.

Do not be insecured with what God has given you.  The standard that this world wants us to embrace is vanity.  We are not called to live the standard that the world dictates.

In 1 Peter 3:3-4, the Scripture teaches us how we should see ourselves: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

Our standard should be Jesus Christ. Compassion, wisdom, patience – these are the things that we should strive for and develop, instead of the things that we see around us.

(left - right: Ptr. Roni Astrologo, Berracca, Mr. Gary Valenciano)

T – Take the challenge.

Find what you are passionate about and boldly ask God how you can make Him your driving force behind that passion.  If passion is the vehicle, let the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) be the fuel.

When you start something with God, it never stops until it is completed. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Allow God to take over and He will provide everything that is required to accomplish His will.

When you have passion for the glory of God, it leaves you open and transparent, ready and willing to take on the next task, the next challenge.

H – Healing in order to find meaning.

There has never been a generation as physicially fit, mentally alert, spiritually active, technologically advanced, and yet as emotionally scarred as this generation.
 
But no matter how scarred, talented, equipped this generation is, God is looking for people who are willing and open to be passionate for Him.  There is a passion that needs to be opened up in each and everyone. It is there it just needs to be ignited.

…….