Young Adult
Emphasis Sunday
Theme: Let Your Light Shine
Matthew 5:14-16
Dr. William S. Epps, Senior Pastor
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14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Consider what it means for the experience of a young adult
to express his or her faith.
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Contributed by Blair McDonald
Growing up in the 2nd Baptist family and with the guidance of my parents outside of the church walls, I developed a strong unwavering dedication to pursue Jesus. Working every day to act as his ambassador under the care of these support systems, I found it easy to remain steadfast in my faith and my commitment to Jesus Christ.
However, in 2018, when I decided to move 2000 miles away from home and attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee, I was presented with my 1st true test in life away from my church, my parents, and my other friends, who were similarly rooted in Christ. I had a decision to make; continue on my path towards Jesus or succumb to the worldly pressures and temptations that exist within a college environment. I immediately gravitated to on-campus groups such as the fellowship of Christian athletes and an all-girl Bible study group, as well as other like-minded individuals, to find refuge in a campus filled with people and activities that weren't necessarily trying to serve Christ.
While in college with these people, I could live in the culture but not be a part of it while holding fast to God's word. I cherish those moments where I had time to spend with these groups and people, but I knew that as a Christian I needed to do more than stay within my comfortable group settings and I felt a call to let my light shine for others who weren't actively seeking out Jesus yet.
Consider what it means to find you place in a context that
may not be conducive to who you are as a person of faith.
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Blair McDonald, cont'd.
I began 1st with my teammates as I was a soccer player at Vanderbilt where I had the opportunity to meet with and talk to many of my teammates who are struggling with their own battles and life on issues ranging from personal relationships to suicidal thoughts. While they were dejected and hopeless about a given situation, Jesus provided me with the wisdom and discernment to offer them a comforting word and point them towards Jesus. In my 1st year at Vanderbilt, 2 soccer players even committed their lives to Christ and were baptized at our annual Easter celebration. From these small moments of ministry, I started to develop a reputation. People often knew not to call on me for certain activities, citing my own unwavering Christian values as to why they knew I wouldn't come. I never felt excluded or doubted my position because I knew that my light was shining in those moments. Instead, people would come to me to get dinner, watch a movie or, in more serious situations, when they needed someone to talk to.
In those moments, I always took that as an opportunity to point them to the word of God or share with them my favorite sermons that I listen to on my daily walks. I gained a lot of friends in the process and I lost a few as well. Those who moved away from me, not because of any real issue we had, but because they weren't ready to hear Jesus's message through me. Further, Jesus blessed me with the ability to read and write very well and I was called upon a number of different times in college to use these gifts in various settings and my platform grew as a result.
Consider what it means to be faithful to your beliefs in an environment
that is not necessarily accepting of your faith.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2022 |
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Blair McDonald, cont'd.
After my freshman year, I was presented with an opportunity to write for our school newspaper the Vanderbilt Hustler. I started as a columnist writing about my experiences as a student athlete at an academically rigorous institution. But after a year, I was offered an editorial position, where I had more oversight with the other writers and freedom within my own column. Around the same time, in the spring and summer of 2020, our country witnessed a period of civil unrest as protests broke out to call for an end to police brutality and violence against black bodies. Feeling empowered by the moment, I decided to use my column to voice my own thoughts on the matter and specifically how it related to the Vanderbilt community. The article inspired a lot of conversation from those who both supported and criticized my opinion but in all things, I turned the attention back to Jesus. Many people have commented on or even praised my ability to write, especially after the article was published. But again, I served as a witness to Jesus and gave him all the glory and praise for providing me with those skills and the platform to say my peace. Beyond campus wide conversation, that article was instrumental in me later receiving a job offered to an organization that had stumbled upon and read my article. Working for that organization would later become one of the main reasons I decided to pursue a career in law and apply to law school. One of my favorite verses and one I turn to for constant inspiration is from the book of Matthew, chapter 19 verse 26, with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.
As a recent college graduate, looking back on my last 4 years of college, I see how applicable that verse is to my life. Something so ordinary as joining a soccer team or writing for a school newspaper allowed me to not only set a course for the other future accomplishments in my life but serve as a light in this dark world for other people to follow in their own relationship towards Jesus. In college I was able to use my identity rooted in Christ to guide others to his word or at the very least open their minds to the possibility of one day accepting Christ into their hearts. Beyond my success athletically and academically, I walk away from Vanderbilt most proud of the impact I had on other people's lives because of the Holy Spirit that lives within me. And in turn, I should shed his light on others as they too helped reaffirm and strengthen my love for Christ.
One of my other favorite pastors, Dr. Charles Stanley, whom my family often listens to on TV, laid out a simple practical way to continue to survive our present culture as a Christian that I would like to share as well. It goes as follows: read the word carefully, meditate on the word daily, study it seriously, believe it wholeheartedly, obey it consistently, apply it personally, and share it confidently. If you walk this way, your life will not stay the same. And you will continue to walk with Jesus not in sin. I hope this helps in your own relationship with Christ. Thank you and Amen.
Consider what it means to let your faith carry you to fulfill
the possibility of your achievement.
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Thursday, September 1, 2022 |
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Ian Simms
Consider what it means to share your faith as a young adult
attending Berkeley School of Music in Boston.
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Friday, September 2, 2022 |
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Contributed by Ayana Woods
Good morning, Church. My name is Ayana Woods. After hearing the theme of this year’s Youth Emphasis Sunday was “Let your Light shine” I was reminded of a quote by Marianne Williamson. She, in part wrote, “Our deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It’s our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You’re playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do.”
Sometimes, as young adults we might not want to stand out because we are concerned about others' perceptions of us. We are afraid they may think we are being conceited for acknowledging and sharing our accomplishments. However, I try my best to think about the others who paved the way, who stepped out on faith and chose to stand on their own. I find confidence in working towards my goals and helping others, because of the many examples of service I have seen in my family and my community. I implore other young adults in the Second Baptist family, and those listening at home to look in their own communities to find examples of those who let their light shine and try to emulate them as well.
As an example, I look at someone like professional football player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick. Even when he was facing backlash from fans and staff, he refused to stand for the national anthem to protest what he deemed are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States. He explained, “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me it's bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.” Even if you do not agree with his methods, it is important to recognize Kaepernick’s steadfastness, perseverance, and bravery to stand in the face of millions and declare his beliefs. Even when others threw harsh words towards him, his message never wavered. He continued to shine his light by continuing his peaceful protest.
Consider what it means to be inspired by the action of
others to put your faith on display.
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Saturday, September 3, 2022 |
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As you reflect on the young adults' presentations, how do their faith expressions inspire your faith?
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2412 Griffith Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Phone: (213) 748-0318
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