The Cost

I am surrounded daily by teenagers and I know it was getting rougher when I was a teenager, but each and everyday things are getting worse for teenagers today. Unfortunately I see young people that aren't allowed to be kids. They face hell daily, some of the stories that I have been told by some will make you just want to cringe. I heard a story about a young man that at 8 years of age set and watch a family member blow a guys head off with a shotgun, because of a drug deal gone wrong. Also when I first moved here I heard of a young lady that was a Junior in high school at the time, and she was working on her third child. These things are exactly what our teenagers are facing regularly as they go to their schools. You think "NOT ME" well I am here to tell you that I am living example of that mentality. Having been raised in a family full of ministers I took a path that lead me far away from God. I always said not me, and it happened all of the sudden I went down a wrong path. 

Now the good news is a young person that is on "Fire" for God can help change that mentality. Our Mission this upcoming school year as a youth ministry in this area, is to begin to put a dent in that mental make up. We are striving to meet the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." That commission has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for years. We have been lead to believe that is a sole missionary commission. It is in fact a commission for missionaries, but not just vocational missionaries if you will. Its a call of God on "ALL" those who are saved. If you are a servant of Jesus you are called to go. Going is the cost, and its one that most in the church aren't willing to pay. Going is a sacrifice, it means you might have to give up something that you might want to do to be actively in pursuit of something you are called to do. Go is a verb (a word of action) and its a commandment. Its by its very definition a tool for furthering. Furthering what? well that's the question you have to ask in this sense Jesus is commanding his disciples to Go meaning get ready to leave your comfort zone and step out. This call is to us as well we are now his disciples and its our duty to not get too comfortable, and be prepared to go. 

The biggest issue for most "Christian's" is the going part, because like all human beings we all want to find out niche and be good with living that life out and not getting in anyone's way. Well I am gonna tell you we as the church, followers of Christ, or whatever you want to refer the family of believers as has become a quit dysfunctional family structure. Our worry about the color of the carpet, or the sound in a church has driven most totally away from the church. Also while we bicker among ourselves, young people are dying and going to hell. Young people aren't feeling loved, so they turn to other sources and go against everything biblical. They chase love ladies and gentlemen, just like you and I. They want to be accepted and when they are not they turn to sexual sins, alcohol, drugs, prostitution, pornography, and self-mutalization. They are seeking for a feeling of love and also they are seeking to find away to make the pain go away. When we as the church set back and watch it happen. Sure we watch the news and say, "that's really sad, someone needs to fix this mess." I have grown tired and weary of hearing that statement. Its because of that way of thinking that has surrounded us with the mess we have, we worry too much about our comfort zone and everything that stays nice and cozy in our world. While the whole time out there in our community our future is waiting for someone to get out of their way of doing things and come and accept them for who they are. 

I have one challenge for you if you have stuck with me and read this blog. You want to fix our world invest in our future. Young people are the ones that can make a difference, most believe that can't be reached because of the grip the world has on them. Well statistics show you are harder to reach while in your 40's and up than as a young person. You are more open to listen, the reason young people are doing the things they do is because they are listening, and I am gonna tell you the only people they hear these days are the ones saying the wrong things. We as the church have got silent and comfortable. Shame on us is all I have to say, because the world isn't silent about it, they promote their way of thinking everywhere now. Church isn't just a Sunday and Wednesday thing, it should be a lifestyle. You don't have to go around talking in Christianese, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to live like your a Christian, instead of worrying about what song's are being sang on Sunday morning worship, worry about people's souls. Sacrifice your personal preferences just a little bit and Go, get out of you're box and start investing in what I believe is the greatest generation that has ever existed. Our young people are worth your time, and if you will give it to them they will change the world.  "Go and Make Disciples!"