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We ARE Young…So Let’s Set the World on Fire!

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When I was young - or at least younger, “gleek” meant building up saliva in your glands and jetting it out at impressive distances…as in

“Ew dude! You just gleeked all over my quesadilla!”

Sadly, the old school gleek term has been replaced by this generation’s gleek - which is not pure spittle used as a weapon of annoyance, rather it describes anyone who is a pure fan of Glee and is not ashamed to show it…as in

Joe: Hey, did you see the new episode of Glee last Wednesday?
Michael: Of course I did! I'm such a Gleek.

And of course there are a multitude of Gleeks who have been captivated by the show’s amazing ability to entertain with mashed up musical numbers and mixed up high school stereotypes in snarky interactions.

And in a sense, Glee is a connecting point for anyone who’s felt awkward, unaccepted, intimidated, and self conscious in high school.

Oh wait, I guess that would be everyone who attended high school in the last 50 years.

In case you aren’t a gleek and you missed it, this last season ended with the vocally tight and emotionally moving cover of fun.’s We Are Young.

Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire.
We can burn brighter
Than the sun.

What made this performance so appealing to me was not the passion in the performers, and for sure my appreciation of this song is not its celebration of getting high or falling down drunk.

(Side note kids - these habits will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.)

The appeal of season three’s finale to me was the visual portrayal of reconnection and reconciliation between the characters.  Emotional fences were mended and bitterness melted under the power of forgiving and forgetting, and that coupled with spot on vocals made me wish I was that young again and ready to set the world on fire.

What about you?  Most likely you are reading this as a young person - although in my book the concept of youth is as much mental as it is physical.  I know plenty of 15-18 year olds who are as crusty and crabby as a bitter invalid in an assisted living facility, and I also know 30-50 year olds who have an unashamed vigor and tireless energy for life that are as fun to watch as a homerun Glee performance.

So young or old, curmudgeonly or charismatic about life, isn’t it about time we all ‘”set the world on fire”?  I’m not sure what is meant by that line in the song, but I do know how the Maker of this world defines it:

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message).

These are some of the last words Jesus spoke before He went back to heaven, but they are more than just words…this is the match strike that started the world on fire 2000 years ago and the flames continue to blaze in every corner of the planet! It started with 12 men and has now grown to 2 billion people who have the message that can bring all people into reconnection and reconciliation with God.

The question is… do you want to set your part of the world on fire?  Age doesn’t matter in this mission, friends.  The only requirement is that you see yourself playing a role in fulfilling the heart of God for those who are wallowing in the darkness and cold nature of life without a Savior.  When your mission, vision, focus, and priority in life is sharing the gospel and making disciples who make disciples, you understand what it feels like to be young, because nothing on earth burns brighter than the Son!

What a great way to start out the New Year, don’t you think?  Don’t shrink your world into a meaningless chase for happiness and contentment…commit yourself to the Great Commission—THE Ultimate Cause—given to us by Jesus Christ Himself.

We ARE Young, so let’s set the world on fire!

 

Whether you’re a Glee fan or not, everyone can relate to the joy of being young and living life like there’s no tomorrow.  Don’t waste your youth or whatever time you have left on this earth on meaningless pursuits and shallow dreams.  Go set the world on fire for Christ!

Jesus, you have made our hearts restless until they find rest in You.  Thank You for giving us this amazing calling of going out into the world and making disciples.  Give us a heart of passion for the lost and help us be a light in this dark world. 

Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

  Sometimes teenagers wonder whether they can really make a difference in the world. But there’s plenty of Biblical precedent for young people setting the world on fire! Check out Greg Stier’s free video training “Why Young People.”