I perceived immediately that this boy – fifteen years old – was mature beyond his years, that he spoke as a man who should have had ten more years experience than was possible. He had a balance and grasp of life and its problems that exceeded that. – Benjamin Mays (eulogizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
As a young man, Martin Luther King Jr. recognized the urgency of making a difference for his people as well as for oppressed people of every race. His mission would not be an easy one, and it would eventually take his life. However, his legendary mission is still affecting lives today.
It is never too early to get a vision for your mission.
David communicated with God while he tended sheep as a young boy, and killed a lion and a bear in the power of God. Young Joseph received dreams from God that he would one day be a great ruler over Israel. As a very small boy Samuel heard God calling his name while he served in the temple.
“My challenge to the young people is to pick up where this generation has left off. To create a world where every man, woman, and child is not limited, except by their own capabilities.” – Colin Powell
You too can hear from God regarding your life’s mission, even if you are very young. The prophet Isaiah recorded that your eye has not seen nor has your ear heard all God has prepared for you if you will “wait on” or pray and listen to Him. (See Isaiah 64:4.) He did not say, “Unless you are too young.”
If you want to know your mission, begin to wait on the Lord. You are not too young, too unprepared, too scarred by life’s circumstances, too dumb, or too poor to fulfill His mission for your life. Whatever you are lacking, God will provide it, because it’s His mission for you!
Wait on God this week. Read His Word and listen for His voice. Then rise up and obey what He has said!
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Carman Domenic Licciardello is an enigma in Christian music, often described as part evangelist, part Vegas Showman. His concerts were more like a rock and roll Billy Graham Crusade than a Christian music event. After all the singing, dancing, clapping, and preaching, crowds of people would stream down to the counseling area to accept Christ-many times as many as 5,000 in an evening.
Admission was usually free; a simple offering was taken, similar to 30,000 churches on Sunday mornings. And he filled the largest stadiums the world over. Carman held the record for the largest Christian concert ever in Dallas, Texas. But it even goes beyond that. Take the Mega Stadium acts that played the famed landmark such as Pink Floyd, U 2, Madonna, The Jackson Five, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and even Metallic. As the newspapers noted, you'll see that the one-act that drew the highest attendance in Texas Stadium was Carman, with 71,132.
Carman (1956-2021) was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
Born Carman Licciardello, he began recording under his first name and released his debut album in 1980. Carman began charting contemporary Christian hits in 1984 with "Sunday's on the Way," reaching No. 1 with "The Champion" (1986) and "Radically Saved" (1988). His other hit songs include "Lord of All," "Jesus Is the Light," and "Satan, Bite the Dust!" Carman reportedly holds the world record for the largest audience at a Christian concert. His popularity was at its height in the 1980s and early '90s, but he continued releasing albums for years, including his most recent release, 2014's "No Plan B." In 2018, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.