So I have been reading Donald Miller's latest book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and it is related to what we have been talking about in our youth group. His book is based on, at least so far, a couple of movie-makers approaching him about making a film about a book he wrote based around his life. After agreeing, they filmmakers begin dissecting the book and ultimately dissecting the story of Miller's life. It is painful at first, especially when they use words like 'boring' and tell Miller what the character would and wouldn't do - even though the character is him... but Miller gets on board after awhile, realizing there are things in his life that seem unresolved or points in his life that aren't leading anywhere. To be a better part of the filmmaking process Miller attends a seminar by a noted professor specializing in telling stories. He learns a lot about characters in stories, plots, leading roles, inciting incidents, explosions, and all things story and film. An inciting incident is something that pushes the character to make a decision. They may be on the fence about something and the inciting incident forces them to go one way or other, either painfully or peacefully the inciting incident gives the story some insight into the character's behavior and thought-process. But one of the most important thing about a main character is they have to have motivation, they need drive, somewhere they are going, a goal, somewhere on the horizon they are pedaling towards... they need a purpose. What Miller painfully discovers about his life, is that is void of meaning, void of a purpose... aside from writing amazing books he searches for something more (at least that is where I am now). We have been talking about our testimonies in youth, several of our youth leaders have shared their experiences and where they grew up, what obstacles they have come through, mistakes they wish they had avoided and through it all where God has brought them now. I wonder how many people actually have a 5-year plan, a 10-year plan, how about a 10 month plan? Probably not very many us... we have dreams and lofty ideas about where we need to be, what our status in society should be, but if we aren't pursuing those ideas, those dreams then we have fallen into complacency. I have been studying the 7DeadlySins lately, and one author believes that is exactly what sloth is... it isn't simply laziness but a complacent attitude towards life, specifically towards spirituality and God. This is worse than where Miller was, at least he was ignorant to his ambitionless state... most of us are aware of where we are, where we think we should be, but we just sit and complain about how wrong we have been treated ultimately defeating any chance or reaching our dreams. Take a second to reflect upon the things you saw for your future when you were in high school, when you were just starting out in life. If you are in high school, where do you see yourself at 25? 30? 40? How do you plan on getting there? And don't just say, "Well, I'm going to college and I'm going to start my career and work my way up." Not going to cut it! There are thousands of college graduates workin retail or flippin burgers at Burger King, and unless those are your goals you are going to need to be a little more creative and for-crying-out-loud a lot more intentional. For anyone seeing their dreams slip by, start dreaming again, life isn't over. Try daydreaming. What are you passionate about? What is your family passionate about? Do something that will benefit others, like your children, or their children... you will come out feeling better in the long run and your dreams will feel a lot more fulfilled... I guarantee it!