Devotion: Created to Be
“and I praise you because of
the wonderful way
you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.” Psalm 136:14
As this is released, I’ll be embarking to New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering with 16,000 teenagers on the Sheridan Youth Mission Trip. This will be my third adventure with this krewe.
I’ve always enjoyed working alongside our youth as we discover our own mountaintop moments. And this year I’m really excited for real hotel beds, warm showers and hopefully no critters.
This year’s theme for the Gathering is, “Created to Be.” This calls us to reflect on our inherent value and the divine design within us. God has intricately woven our lives, giving each person unique gifts, strengths, and a calling that contribute to His larger tapestry. This gathering is an opportunity to discover and celebrate those unique aspects in each other and ourselves.
Mission trips are not a vacation, though we do have a ton of fun. This year it is the goal of the Gathering to have participants show up with an open mind and heart, to bring our whole and authentic selves, to be transformed by the gospel and be sent back out to love our neighbors just as we are loved by God.
My hope for this journey is that we embrace that we are all created to be something extraordinary. Let us encourage one another to explore and embrace our God-given identities. In our interactions, worship, and service, may we recognize the beauty and worth in each person we encounter.
My challenge for this congregation is that we learn from our youth and their experience at the Gathering to find worth in all who we meet and encourage each person to live out their unique purpose in the world.
You can follow along on our adventures throughout the week on Instagram: @sheridan_youth You may also tune into the some of the Mass Gatherings via the Gathering Livestream from 7pm-9:15pm Tuesday, July 16-Friday, July 19.
Dear God,
We thank You for creating each of us with intention and love. As we gather together, help us to see the beauty and worth in ourselves and each other. May we celebrate the unique gifts You’ve given us and use them to glorify You. Guide us on our journey, and let this experience deepen our faith and understanding of our identity in You. Amen.
Written by Randy Hawthorne
Having a rivaled human network, Randy makes it his personal mission to connect those humans to their next big thing. Randy has decades of experience in the nonprofit industry, having served as a professional and volunteer in a variety of organizations.
He enjoys mentoring students and entrepreneurs, occasionally makes his way to a theater stage, geeks out on local history and goes on dining adventures.