I have heard the saying "He is a pillar in the community" many times. I have always read it or heard it and just kept going. I haven't really thought too much about what that saying means until recently. A pillar is a heavy duty object that upholds something else. It can be used to provide a support and stability to a pier, a building or other structure. A person who is a pillar is one who is an ideal, who supports and upholds a community and provides stability.
We would all agree that the more solid pillars that are involved in a building project the more stable and safe the building will be. A building with 10 pillars is going to be more stable and safe than a similar building with only 8 pillars. The more the better. We could also agree that certain buildings will require more pillars than others. The amount of needed pillars will vary from one building to another depending on many factors like foundations, types of weather and other demands that will be placed upon the building.
I want to apply the idea of a Pillar to the concept of parenting, teaching, coaching and leading young people. The young people we come into contact with throughout our week as teachers, coaches, youth workers, and community leaders all are in need of pillars in their lives. And the more the better. Some will require more than others, but all young people need pillars. Pillars are sources of help, stability and protection.
My theory is that the more strong, quality pillars that a young person has in their lives, the more likely they are to succeed in transitioning from a teenager into a productive, outstanding adult.
Who can be a pillar for a young person? Most importantly are the young person's parents. Kids who come from homes with two parents are far more likely to succeed statistically speaking. Not every family is blessed to have a two parent home. These kids need to be around a larger amount of non-parental pillars. Success can and should still be achieved by the young person, regardless of their home life. Not only do parents need to be pillars for their children, they have the responsibility of placing their children in a place to be influenced by other pillars. Other great pillars are grandparents and aunts/uncles. When these close family members are invested in being a pillar to their young relative great gain can be had.
Non-Family pillars are a great source of strength for the young person. These can include coaches, pastors, youth leaders, teachers and other community sources. Employers can be a great source of help and stability to a young person as well as they begin looking for a career path.
As a coach, teacher, youth leader please be a pillar in the lives of the young people you are around. Bless them with your time, insights and care. You cannot do the job alone, but you can be a major source of comfort and blessing to young people. You can fill their lives with stability, love and care. You are called to make a difference in their lives.
We cannot accurately determine (like an algebraic formula) with certainty how a young person will turn out based on the pillars. Sociologists can make predictions and find averages. However, many young people with few pillars will excel (Like Dr. Ben Carson), while other young people with a seemingly unlimited supply of pillars will fail. Ultimately it is up to the young person to make the choices that will shape their lives. Hopefully, with the right amount of pillars they can be guided into a life of excellence.
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