This time last summer, I was working in an amazing student ministry in East Texas. Leslie taught me the difference between real Mexican food and Tex-Mex. Taylar helped me become slightly more proficient in sending speedy text messages. Steve, the student pastor I worked for, showed me how genuine, meaningful and fun ministry can be. Stephen threw macaroni on my notes. And most everyone within a 60-mile radius heard me gripe about the heat and how it made my hair look like a flat frizz-wig. It was a sweet experience (working at that church, not flat frizz wig hair). The best part of my job was spending time with the girls there.

One night I sat at the pool, listening to a group of friends share their stories. They had all graduated in May and were a month away from making the big move to college. The moving date was set. They knew who their roommates would be. It’s no surprise the word I heard most out of their mouth was last. They had grown up together, gone to the same school and worshiped in the same youth group. Now life was about to split them into four different directions, and they were sad, excited and hopeful all at the same time. Nothing can feel more bizarre than when the future you’ve dreamed of for years finally plops down in front of you.

Of the many traits I admired in all the girls I worked with last summer, there’s one in particular I want to share with you: Though they were all psyched about the future, those girls knew life didn’t begin when they left for college.

They knew God was using them right then, right where they were, to be bright examples of His love. They led small groups full of younger girls. They were intentional about reaching out to new students. Every week we prayed for their classmates, co-workers, family and friends.

I watched them hold each other accountable in the relationships they had. And I saw how intentional they were about spending time in God’s Word and getting to know Him more.

Sometimes middle school and high school can feel like little more than an awkward spurt of “between time.” But they made that time matter.

David was like that, too.

Someday Starts Now
When Samuel saw Eliab, he thought he’d found Israel’s future king. But God said no. One by one, Samuel met the rest of Jesse’s boys. None of them proved to be the guy Samuel was looking for (1 Samuel 16:7). Finally somebody went out to find David, the handsome, outdoorsy youngest brother. Just like that, David’s life changed completely. Samuel anointed him the future King of Israel.

Before David knew it, he was slaying giants, leading armies and ruling a kingdom; but those are just bullet points in a much longer, more beautiful story. Every season of David’s life mattered to God. David could have put all his hopes in a royal “someday.” He could have assumed life didn’t start until he was king. But he didn’t. He didn’t let his age or his fears be excuses to sit out life.

Not every season made sense to David, but every season was important. He messed up plenty of times. He was frustrated, confused and angry. Time and time again, he brought God his most authentic self. Time and time again, God worked through him in big ways.

This season matters for you, too. First Timothy 4:12 tells us age is no barrier to living an abundant life in Christ.

You don’t have to wait until college, grad school, Bible school or seminary for God to use you. Life doesn’t begin when you get married, become a parent, set foot on a different continent, write books or sell your first piece of art. “Someday” will be here before you know it. In fact, “someday” starts now in the decisions you make and the way you live.

So live in this moment. Dig into God’s Word right now. Be brave enough to trust Him with this day and the day after. I have a feeling you’ll look back at this season in your life and see just how much it mattered. These crazy between times can be crazy beautiful. Watch and see.

Shape the River
I found a great verse in my quiet time this week I wanted to share with you (also written by our favorite shepherd king):

“My heart bursts at its banks overflowing with beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words” (Psalm 45:1 The Message paraphrase).

This summer, pour your life out in a poem to your God. Live every day with bold compassion, integrity and purpose. Worship loudly. Love until you’re exhausted. Sneak away from all the chaos, and chase fireflies and watch the sunset. Get to know the people in your life—really know them, not just their names. Be courageous and be brave. In some ways, every moment is a “last.” This exact summer, with these people, in this place, will never happen again. So live it completely, and live it well.