It is a difficult task for teenagers today to listen intently for the will of God in their lives while they are surrounded by a sea of sad expectations from the world, but it is absolutely essential in becoming a vessel that God can use. If one is not careful, he will easily fall into the trap of basing his life around the assumptions of the majority rather than what God would expect from him. One might even fall short of accomplishing all that he is capable of. Sometimes an idea is so constantly thrown at a person that he starts to believe it and accept it as his own standard. Here’s an example of how an idea can bloom into a barrier. In Asia , elephant owners are able to contain their elephants in a certain area simply by tying them up with a small piece of rope.[1] How does this work? Couldn’t the towering elephant easily break free? The elephant could, but does not. Here’s how it works: When the elephant is still very small, it is chained to a tree by a large, heavy chain. The elephant may try and try to break free, but its efforts are no use. No matter how hard it pulls, it can’t move from its spot. After days of exhorting all of its strength into working to snapping the chain, it finally gives up and accepts the fact that it will not be able to leave the tree. Soon after, the owner switches out the chain for a piece of rope. Again, the elephant tries to leave, but at the slightest feeling of resistance it gives up. It could easily break loose, but because it has accepted the idea that if there is something around its leg, it won’t be able to move.[2] It is the same with teenagers. If you accept ideas from the world as your standards, you are likely to follow through to them, and you are likely to fall short of rising to your full potential. [3]
