"I want to go to a good college, have a good career so that I can be financially secure and serve God." 

As my cousin, Joe, said this to me from across the couch, I saw myself a decade ago.  At 16, this seemed to be the dependable, normal, accepted goal for life.  One thing would follow another and would surely lead to a successful and happy life.  It pleased my parents and my peers, and was met with general applause.

Now at 27, I sit across the couch from Joe and tell him to reconsider.  Why?  Because there are bigger questions in life than, "Will I have enough money?  In the short lives that we live on this earth, it is more important to live with purpose than chasing after security and comfort.

As a teenager, you need to have real experiences.  What is your purpose in life?  Who were you made to be?  Only real experiences will show you these things.  Sharing a sandwich with someone who hasn't eaten yet this week will teach you about your place in this world.  Helping rebuild a roof will show you what your strengths and weaknesses are.  Real experience is key.

Real experiences have real risk.  A real experience is not safe and padded-which is why it's so meaningful.  It forces you to go outside the safe, familiar walls of home and learn what it really means to trust God.  Not the, "I trust that God will bring me my iPod" kind of trust.  Real, desperate, gut-wrenching trust in circumstances that you can't control.  You could get sick.  You could get caught in a hurricane. (Really did happen to us.)  And through that, you'll begin to see who God really is.

Once you begin to see who you are, and who God is, the rest of life will look very different.  Imagine if you could catch a vision for the purpose of your life at 16?  It may include a good college and a good career, but you'd go into your adult life with an idea of who God made you to be and what you're supposed to do with your life.