Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. I love this verse from the Bible. What it means is, that my time, attention, actions and energy are focused on whatever I value above all else. Have you stopped recently to ask yourself what treasure is stored in your heart?
Young people are developmentally wired to seek new experiences — and if provided with thoughtful guidance, the search for new experiences may be the key to helping them develop a sense of purpose in life. Since June is now known as Youth Month, we have decided to dedicate our blog to encourage our youth find their purpose in life.
The dictionary defines purpose as, ‘the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.’ It can also mean something set up as an object or end to be attained, so why we do something or why something exists.
The development of purpose is interlinked with the development of identity. You must be able to first understand who you are before you can discover what you are meant to be or do. A wise person once told me that, “When identity is questioned then unbelief is born.” The companions of unbelief are anxiety and stress, which lead to confusion. Here at DCYCC we often see young people struggling to discover who they are and questioning why they were even born. Sadly, many allow their past, present, and anticipated future to determine their identity. This is of course a faulty belief, one perpetuated throughout society. We are determined to ensure that they are imbued with the confidence to rise above their circumstance, both past and present and to determine that they will not allow their situation to define who they are.
History is peppered with powerful stories of how people defied laws, limitations, cultural expectations, gender restrictions, etc, and rose above the challenges, and went on to achieve their purpose. Nelson Mandela’s life is one such example that continues to inspire. Finding purpose brings direction, and the confidence to achieve great success in life.
South Africa has come such a long way since 16 June 1976, a day etched in our history, because of the bravery of those young people who found their purpose and were prepared to give their lives for what they believed in.cWe are proud of the many successful stories of our young people and workers who have risen above their challenges and found purpose in life, embracing both the sweet and the bitter phases of their life’s journey.
Below are some inspiring stories that reflect of the outcome when young people set their heart on something, stay focused and achieve remarkable success.
Broken crayons can still colour | Durban Child & Youth Care Centre (dch.org.za)
Hard work and determination the key to Ntombenhle’s success (dch.org.za)