The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Kayla M. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Read - Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
A motivational book by 19-year-old twins with a foreword by Chuck Norris – what's not to love? Do Hard Things exposes low expectations, challenges teens to soar beyond them, and encourages teens by sharing the stories of the "rebelutionaries" around the globe who are stretching their limits to make a positive, lasting impact on the world for Christ.
Intrepid teens Alex and Brett Harris open their book by defining "rebelution"" as "a teenage rebellion against low expectations" (Harris 11). They begin with their own journey, describing the blog they launched and its overwhelming response, the judicial campaign they ran with other teens, and the worldwide speaking tours God has used to spread their message and His. Next the twins expose the "myth of adolescence" (26) that our culture has bought, by comparing today's teens to young people hundreds of years ago. To overcome the crippling low expectations set today, the Harrises challenge us to do hard things that "go outside your comfort zone," that surpass requirements, that call for collaboration, that don't immediately pay off, and that "challenge the cultural norm" (57-58). The twins provide examples of teens who have obeyed God's call, from fighting slavery and abuse to managing political campaigns to starting non-profit organizations to reach the poor and homeless for Christ. Alex and Brett close their book with practical applications to help teens live out a higher calling to God's standard instead of the world's.
I highly recommend this book because of its Biblical perspective, encouraging tone, everyday relevance, and positive impact on me. Scripture throughout the book powerfully touched me as it brought to life God's commands for us, His people. Examples include 1 Timothy 4's exhortation to the young, 2 Timothy 1's reminder to walk in love instead of fear, Psalm 1's admonition to not just flee evil but also pursue righteousness, and Matthew 5's command to be salt and light.
God has used Do Hard Things to encourage me to persist faithfully in the small, mundane and often frustrating tasks of everyday life. Alex and Brett included Jesus' parable of the talents and the recent testimony of a girl whom God has trained through lowly tasks she would not have chosen (137) to drive home the importance of small yet hard things. These inspiring sections showed me that God calls us to do small hard things to bring Him glory, to teach us to rely on Him, and to prepare us for the greater hard things He has planned for us.
Through the testimony of Alex and Brett Harris, God has encouraged me to live as a light for Him. One of the "hard things" the book highlights is the strength to "challenge the cultural norm" (59). The twins write about hundreds of teens around the world who are living for Christ instead of going with the flow of the world around them. This book will inspire you to follow their example and encourage you to join the growing "Rebelution".
