May 16, 2005

Dear Friend,

Have you ever wondered what you are really going to do with your life? . . . how God communicates with you? . . . how to properly satisfy your need for love? . . .how to become best friends with family members? . . . how to personally know Jesus? You are not alone! I struggled with those questions, too. Sometimes it seems hard growing up. Even when we're surrounded by people who love us, sometimes it seems like no one truly understand us, or truly cares about us.

In the process of seeking answers to deep questions like these, I made a most amazing discovery. Actually, it was a truth I had already been taught through my childhood, but began to experience more fully for myself as I entered my youth. I discovered that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the God of the Universe, loves me dearly and intimately, and that loving Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength provides far greater joy and fulfillment than any girl could ever dream of knowing.

My friend, I know that you want to be loved and accepted for who you are. You want to be needed and fulfilled. I am here to tell you that these desires can't be satisfied in any earthly relationships or activities you may pursue, but only in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is very real - perhaps even more real than things that you can see! - and He knows and loves you personally. To live in His love is to live life to the fullest without any disappointment, because He has promised never to forsake us.

But how can we live in Jesus' love? Ah, here Scripture is very clear. First John 5:3 says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." Is that hard? In a way, yes, but in reality, no, not really. The same verse continues, "and His commandments are not burdensome."

So how can you, as a young lady, obey God's commands in order to fulfill the purposes for which He created you? God gave us 1,177 chapters full of His words, but it can seem overwhelming to read it all and discern just what He wants you to do. That's where COMMIT Club comes in.

If your parents choose to bring you to COMMIT Club, you'll hear my sister Rachel and me concisely present some principles from God's word which are especially important for young ladies to apply. I think you'll have a lot of fun, and come to understand how to obey God in your life right now. I also believe you'll enjoy visiting with other young ladies, especially during our monthly tea!

But if your parents choose not to bring you to COMMIT Club, that's no excuse not to know and obey the Lord! :-) You probably have a Bible in your house; please take seriously your responsibility before God to learn and do His will. Read it, memorize it, and study it, and God is able to teach you through His word anything that you could learn in COMMIT Club with us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this note. I hope I have the opportunity to meet you personally to encourage you in the Lord, either in COMMIT Club or at some other time. But even more, I hope and pray that you will devote your life to serving Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He says in Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness."

Hannah Malone