A LETTER TO ME

AUDIO LINK:



"A LETTER TO ME"

Intro:
One of my favorite singers is brad Paisley. I love the way in which he sings about every day events. The way in which he manages to capture what it's like to go out and live life on a day-to-day bases is amazing. He injects both sorrow and celebration in almost every song he sings.
Recently he released his latest CD, and as usual it is incredible! There is one song in particular that caught my attention. The song is entitled, "IF I COULD WRITE A LETTER TO ME." In the song, brad talks about a letter that he would like to write to his 17-year-old self. In the song, he addresses some of the issues, which his teenage self faced, and offers adult advice on ways to deal with those problems.
Tonight, I want to share with you the letter and advice, which I would offer to myself. Actually, I want to address Rusty at 17. I vaguely recall that long ago burgeoning man. I hope that we can gain some assistance in living our adult lives.

I LIFE ISN'T ALWAYS FAIR, BUT IT'S WORTH IT!

In Mr. Paisley's song, he begins by talking to his younger self about the subject which all teenagers face. He addresses a member of the opposite sex. He writes about the end of a 7-month relationship, which meant so much to him at that time. He talks about the heartache and pain of that event. He says, I know that you liked her, and I know it don't seem fair."
As I listened to that song, it took me back to 1994,95, and part of 96. It reminded me of a girl named Michel Minnick. I thought she just might have designed, colored, and hung the moon and stars. We met at TSB, and boy she was something special. We began dating, and I just could not wait to marry her.
We made plans, I bought a ring, and the only thing that got in our way was the other guy she began dating. If it hadn't been for him, I think we really had a chance.
In all seriousness, when we stopped seeing each other, I thought my world had come to an end. I couldn't imagine anything worse than that moment. I even remember praying that God would bring her back, and if he would then I would do so much good for him.
Obviously he didn't bring her back, and I now see that he knew what was right for me. However, in the midst of trials, it's often hard for us to believe that there's any reason to get out of bed.
Think about Elijah in First Kings 19: 1-14. He had been through so much, and had not just survived, but thrived time an time again. However, in First Kings 19, we see his resolve beginning to weaken, and he decides that he's had enough. He goes into the wilderness, takes a seat under a tree, and says, "Lord take my life, for I am no better than my Fathers." (1Ki 19: 4) I think we can all agree that it's a good thing that god chose not to take him up on that request.
God heard him. God saw his pain. God then did what he always does in those situations. He reached out. He revealed himself to his suffering servant.
Look at 1Kings 19: 9-13. There we see Elijah speaking with god. God tells him to go out before the cave in which he has taken shelter, and the Lord then sends a wind, earthquake, and fire, but God isn't seen in any of those things. Instead, Elijah here's him as a small voice, a whisper in the wind. In that small voice, that whisper in the wind, Elijah finds that all hope is not lost. He finds that God's revelation makes life worth living in spite of the hard times.
The same thing is true of you and I today. Brad told his 17-year-old self, "She wasn't right for you, but still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back, and your wondering if you'll survive. You'll make it through this and see, your still around to write this letter to me."
Folks, the message for us is very simple. Life is often times hard, but likewise, it is always worth it! It's worth it because in those moments, that's when our God takes us and whispers in our ear. That's when we discover that he is still that small voice telling us that all will be well!

II SET ASIDE YOUR ANGER, AND ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE ON HAND!

In the second verse, Brad cautions himself about getting mad, and failing to enjoy the time at hand. How many of us are guilty of this same thing. How many of us spend our lives mad at this person over here, or that person over there. For what? Because they didn't do something quite the way we thought they should? Because they had an idea that dared to challenge our way of thinking? Because they didn't live up to the expectations which we had for them?
So often, I'm afraid that we live our entire lives like the Elder son in the story of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15: 11-32. You know the story. The younger son decided to take the money his father would one day give him, go into a foren land, and live it up! Unfortunately for him, that didn't work out so well. He lost his money, his home, and his pride. Soon he was living no better than the pigs.
It was at that point when he decided to go home. He did return, and he returned to a hero's homecoming. All was forgiven, and a feast was laid in his honor. Everyone was so happy, except for his older brother. No, rather than be happy for the safe return of his brother, he decided to be mad at the father, and the brother.
Let me ask you this, "What good came from him being mad?" I'll answer the question for you. NONE! The father was forced to have an uncomfortable conversation with his eldest child, and I am quite certain that the party suffered because of this man's anger.
Folks, there are things in life which should make us mad. However, to become so angry with someone that you cannot go to that person and express that anger in a reasonable manor is uncalled for. To allow the sun to set on your anger is something, which Paul warned us against doing no matter our age. (Eph 4: 32) What I want to encourage you to do is enjoy life, and stop waiting on that other shoe to fall. What if that shoe never falls. What if you spend your life being mad, and what your mad about never happens. Just take time to enjoy all that you have been given.

III BE GREATFUL FOR EVERYTHING, AND EVERYONE IN YOUR LIFE!

This is not directly expressed, yet in some way, it is what the song is all about. Right after the breakdown, Brad sings, "You've got so much up ahead!" He's talked to his younger self about breakups, breakdowns, and even the delicate subject of life being broken away. And in the end, he just encourages that younger Brad to look forward, and be grateful for all that has happened. In the good times, be grateful! In the sad times, be grateful! Why? Because those moments are going to help shape him into the person he will one day become!
Now, the same thing is true of the letter I would write to myself. I would tell that younger Rusty to get ready, because the best is yet to come. I would tell him to hang on, hang in, and get ready to see things that he is not going to believe! For example, I would tell him that in his future, he would actually thank Michel for going ahead and leaving. Why? Because she helped to get him ready to meet the real love of his life. I would tell him to thank god for taking his eyesight. Why? Because thanks to that blindness, he is going to see further than most people with 20-20! However, I would encourage him above all, to make sure to take time to be grateful for everyone, and everything in his life. Thank God for your family, some of who will be gone by the time you are 30. Thank God for your friends, some of whom you will fall out of touch with by the time you are 25. Thank God for every stepping-stone, and stumbling block, which will litter the path between here, there, and eternity!