I overheard something very interesting as I walked to my classroom this morning. Today is Club Day which means school clubs get an opportunity to meet from 7:45 until 8:10. On Club Day, there are generally a few students roaming the halls before classes begin. One of the clubs that meets is First Priority, a Christian Club. As I walked past a group of students, I overheard one say that First Priority was meeting down the hall and asked if anyone wanted to join him. One boy blurted out, "No, man, that's lame." Then another replied, "I thought you were a Christian." He then floored me with his response. He said, "I am a Christian, but I don't like to do all that Christian stuff." I wish now I would have stopped and asked him, "What is Christian stuff."
I can only assume what that student meant by his phrase. It's the same thing from which many of us "suffer". You see, we put on this "Church Face" on Sunday. We go to Church smiling at everyone and acting like everything in our lives is perfect. We seem to have it all together. We sing hymns, shake hands, give testimonies, and fellowship with the congregation. But as soon as we leave church, we think we don't have to do anymore "Christian stuff" until the next Sunday. Giving testimonies at church is great. But do we also give them at the workplace, at school, and at the ball field? Is our life a walking testimony for Christ? He told us that we need to focus on God 24/7, not just on Sundays or Wednesdays. Being a Christian is not about doing "things" that we think other people expect us to do. Being a Christian is a complete lifestyle; A change. We shouldn't just do some things some times, we should do everything, all the time, through Christ. Jesus does not love us in secret, He loves us openly. Shouldn't we love Him in the same way?
Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
Father, please teach us that we should show our love for You all the time and everywhere we go. Please give us the courage to not be shy when it comes to telling others about You. In Jesus name, Amen.
What glimpse into the heart of Christian teens today. I wonder how many actually think/feel what this youth expressed? I think another thought behind his statement is that he may not see a connection b/n what happens at church and real life. He may not catch a connection.
ReplyDeleteAllen,
ReplyDeleteVery well said! unfortunately today, that young man speaks vocally what many Christians think and feel all the time.
They don't see God move because they only 'do' church once a week.
Allen,
ReplyDeleteSad but true.
I work with Junior High Kids at our church and they just don't seem to get it sometimes, God is the King of the Universe, the creator and he deserves the praise and obedience to the things he has called us to. You don't know how many stories I have heard from these kids about what they do at school or what music they even put in my ears expecting me to think its okay to listen to because I am still young enough to be cool.
I have said this to the other leaders and they all agree, we would rather have just one kid show up to group who wanted to witness, be about God's word and all that he has, rather than a room full of kids who come just to hang out be social and not take God seriously.
We have to keep trying to reach them everyday!
This was another great blog for me. I teach youth Sunday School and you have no idea how many times I look out to blank eyes starring back at me. We're actually studying the Fruits of the Spirit, I thought that was cool since that the verse you used :) anyway, I am requiring them to bring a verse in weekly which has one of the Fruits in it. I'm thinking that will be cool, they'll have to use their bible and their concordance to get that. It's been a long haul but enough times of being the only one that doesn't get a snack isn't much fun.
ReplyDeleteThen there's the flip side of this, there are the youth whose parents don't attend and they have to find a way because they want to be there. Is it for the right reasons? Not sure, but I'm just so thrilled to see them there because that's probably their only glimpse of God in their lives. Pray for our youth and pray that we Christians know the difference in a relationship with our Lord and savior and playing church.
Thanks for the blog :)