Leaving a Legacy of Passion for Jesus

Written by Preston Styons, Ministry Intern for First Priority of Johnston County

What’s your favorite season? Spring, summer, fall, winter? Every season has its own pros and cons. Personally, I have no favorite season. But, in recent months, I did develop a least favorite. This season is not one of the regular four. This season comes around once, maybe twice, in a person’s lifetime. This season is called “scholarship season.” Instead of blazing heat or snow storms, this season comes with its own challenges like deadlines and 500-word essays. Scholarship season is a one-of-a-kind time in a high school student’s life. 

As I was desperately crawling through this season, I had to write an essay on an event or outreach opportunity that changed my life. This event may be something that a few of you experienced, the Student Leader Intensives. What some of you may not understand is the unique perspective you get when going into many different clubs and training tons of student leaders. I learned from those experiences and they changed how I viewed the younger generation. 

As I stepped into each classroom, media center, or coffee shop, I saw the same trait in a unique and different way in each student. I saw the passion to be a leader, to have influence, and to learn how to be influenced well. Though most elementary schoolers may not be able to describe it that way, any attentive adult leader could clearly see this. There was a passion in each student to influence someone. It could be a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even another leader. Every student desires to influence and to lead. 

As I sat in the back of clubs or taught SLI’s, the one thing I could only desire for these students is passion. I always viewed this generation as one who only has passion for the things of this world, and though some still do, they are simply searching for the One to have passion for. They are looking to find a passion for the Gospel which will fill them. These FP leaders have that passion and want to share it. 

As I head off to college in the next few months, I am having to contemplate a bitter-sweet goodbye to the journey of being a leader in my FP club since 6th grade. Now I must leave a legacy for Jesus here, and take my influence and leadership where God has led. But, as I leave my legacy for Jesus here, I want to more specifically leave a legacy of passion for Jesus. If there is any one thing you could take from the life of Jesus, His disciples, or a follower like myself, look for your passion. No, not your dreams for life, but the passion of what you would lay your life down for. A passion you would sacrifice for. Jesus had a passion for YOU! His disciples had a passion for sharing through their boldness in speaking and sending letters to the Church. My passion is to speak the name of Jesus across the nation, starting with the students of Johnston County. For you, is this passion for leadership and influence? Is this passion for sharing the Gospel through worship? Is this passion using God-given intelligence and taking it to a community where Jesus needs to be taken? Is it showing where science and God perfectly align? Is it simply loving others through hospitality? Whatever it is, find your passion for Jesus. When you find your passion for Jesus, you will die knowing you have fulfilled God’s call on your life. This does not apply to just adults, but students looking to lead right now. If you are a current student, a leader in your workplace, an influence in your home, or someone searching for their purpose in God’s will for your life, find your passion for Jesus. To the ones I have taught or influenced over this past year and beyond, I hope the one thing I have been able to be an example of is a passion for Jesus because the enemy can never take that away.