|
are you one? 
I wondered a lot what made me different from other people my age. What was it that drew the line between the different ways we thought and acted? It was like there was an unseen barrier, that separated our 2 cultures. And they actually were 2 cultures. Both with their own god/s, their own sins, and their own laws. But just what was I supposed to do about it? Surrounded by people who suddenly seemed from a different planet, how was I supposed to interact with them? Was I supposed to compromise my own beliefs and standards? Was I supposed to convert them? And how come, everywhere I looked, it seemed like there was a hidden philosophy in what they did and why, that only I saw. Even my friends, who were supposed to be on my side, supposed to help me out, didn’t seem to be any further ahead of my train of thought, if even aware of what a world they were living in. After a very real and vivid example of how oblivious they really were, I cut myself off from my peers, and immediate friends, who were all happily engaging in the crude jokes, sexual banter, and damaging comments that are trade-marks of this age group I called mine. I Felt hurt, disappointed, and most of all, stunned by the blindness of my generation; the things we stoop to and the senselessness in most of our actions. Why do we do it? What is it exactly that we were doing wrong? And how could I reverse this senseless void? I knew why I did the things I did. And I knew what my decisions reflected. I just didn’t know how to find out if those in my presence could say the same, or if I was even obligated to. Shouldn’t they know better? But then how could I blame them if I didn’t even know what the right course to take was? My heart sunk lower and lower into this newly-discovered sea of doubt and lost standard. I had just witnessed the demoralization and lack of maturity that I was expected to take part in, and it made me sick. But everyone was doing it. And no one seemed to care. Did that mean I was wrong in pulling away? I couldn’t remember Jesus ever saying, “Don’t listen to so-and-so music” or “Refrain from using words like…” Sitting down on a window seat in the Christian bookshop my family was browsing through, I scanned the shelves for a title that would pop out revealing the answers I needed, or a message that I could take to heart and understand. To intensify my disappointment, I found nothing relative to my searching soul. So, as a last resort, I picked up a student Bible and, reading the first sentence that caught my eyes, I felt an almost magnetic tug at my heart to the scripture that lay before me: 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [That’s just was I was thinking!] 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [How about that? I was right on track! And come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I heard one of my friends praise the Lord.] 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [Wow… that’s like, most of the people I know!] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, [Empty words… nicely put!] for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. [Uh-oh, talk about direct!] My spiritual appetite was now thoroughly roused,and I was stunned at how piercingly God’s dart of truth had sped to the bull’s-eye of my neediness. Walking back across the parking lot, I was the first one in the car, and as soon as I was buckled in, the first to get my hands on a Bible so I could read the rest. Opening it up in the same chapter (Ephesians 5) and backed up a little so I could soak up the whole message. With the comforting thought that God was showing me the right coarse, I settled down by the car window and started reading…
Living as Children of Light
Well! Who would’ve guessed? I was a bit blown away with my surprise and relief, but mostly, I was grateful that God had shown me all these important things that applied directly to my life, my actions, and everyone else’s. Now, I’m officially a Child of the Light. What does that mean? It means that my standards are high, and that I’m not going to lower them just to fit in with the rest of the crowd. If there is anything morally degrading to be found in those around me, I’m not going to participate. I am obligated as a Christian who has been informed of God’s truth, to stand out, to hold my head high, to send my own message, and to make sure that all my actions are a result of my enlightenment. This is the surest way to fulfill God’s plan for my life, and to grace those around me. This is the plan I’m using to become the best I can be, and to, “Treat others as they could be, so they will become what they should be.” I am going to shine with God’s love, with the knowledge that “We are not of the world, but we can love it!” I am not going to be artificial, and I am not going to even try and please people anymore. People come and go, God stays forever. I know what it’s like to have no friends at all. To be left alone and excluded. But it was in those times that God’s love for me shone brighter. I’ve been through depression, wishing that I was dead so that I wouldn’t have to be hurt another day, all the while knowing that I was too smart to kill myself. I’ve been trapped in the pit that worldly people can bury you in, and I never want to go back. I’m stepping out, and I’m making a stand for what I believe, even in the most subtle and unconscious things I do. My goal is Purity, and Personal Holiness, 2 things that are in an appalling shortage this day in age. Thankfully, I’m not the only one. But good friends with the same morals are hard to come by. I urge you right now to seriously think over your behavior: do you do whatever you can to fit in, or to be as “cool” as you can be? Please, don’t get caught up in today’s values! Try taking this
Self test of personal holiness
So how did you score? Are you ready for some changes? I know I am. Please, take a stand with me. Help raise the bar for today’s youth. Let’s all show the world what we’re about, and be in not of! As brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be known as Children of the Light!
|
