It's Dangerous Out There, But Go Ahead.

Everyone of us go through many transitions in life. There are many stages in life. Psychologist Erik Erikson broke them down into 8 stages. In this post I want to speak specifically to those who are in their teens and transitioning to early adulthood. Age 17 to 21.

Erikson states that people from 12 - 18 years old goes through Identity Vs Role Confusion. This is where we develop a sense of self and a personal identity. If one is successful in this stage, he will be able to stay true to himself and move on well. However those who fail at this stage will feel lost and confused about his role and will lead to a weak sense of self.

Two weeks back the Youth Church brought a few of the Form 5 students to One Utama to have some fun before they sit fro their SPM Examinations which will mark the end of their hig school days and the beginning of a whole new journey.

This is what I shared with them.

After you leave school. You will be moving on to college and university. You will be exposed to a whole new culture and will be given a new outlook at life. Things will change. Things will be different. People talk a different language. They dress a different style. They walk differently. Everything is fresh and new.

The challenges grow.

You will be facing decisions on what you want to do and who you want to become. You will make decisions on developing your identity. And when you fail at it, you will face confusion. There are a lot of dangers out there. Friends will influence you to do things that otherwise you might not want to do and go to places you might not want to go.

My advice is. Go. But go where you know God wants to lead you to. Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. The church needs to go into the world and infiltrate the society out there. To be a light in the dark. To be the salt in a whole pot of hot curry.

I have been out here for 2 years now and I have seen a lot of things. I have been exposed to a lot of cultures and there are more to be explored. I want to warn you, that it is a terrible place out there. Go with the grace of God and bring God along in your journey.

You are filled with potential. Like a bomb waiting to blow off in right timing. Mould yourself and root yourself in the Word of God. Do not fall away from the faith. Stay with God. Stay with the church. Stay with your Christian friends. Life is just too short to waste. If we would only realize that we are but permanent residents on earth, we will be able to do so much more. If we would only realize that the world is just a transition stage and heaven is waiting, we would be able to be much more radical. There is more to life than this, my friends.

Identity Vs Role Confusion?

Your Identity is in Christ.