Hurting students... In the past 4 years of working with students I have heard stories of pain, struggle, depression, self-abuse, etc...Although many issues that are plaguing our country and the world with are usually summed up by people in churches saying, "well...that is just sin in the world."
That is a true. Do we just stop there?
Why do kids cut themselves? Why do husbands/wives leave each other? Why is their so much abuse verbally and physically?
Hard questions...
God has been showing me in His word and through personal reflection that God does not want us to always have the "fix it" mentality. Is that our ultimate goal in Christianity? To just fix life?
"Fix students so they'll always wear the right clothes, hairstyle and have perfect attendance?"
Wow...I do not have all the answers to the problems that are saturating youth culture today...but I know that students are crying out for peace when life is out of control. I want to throw out a response to the "fix people" mentality...Walk with them through the pain. Be there for them. Stop talking and...
..Listen. Listen to the deep hurts and stop talking. Listen. Replace abandonment with authentic relationships. Hear their pain and let God's spirit pour out of your life into theirs.
Relationships...life is summed up by it. Programs will not change a life but only facilitate a place for relationships to happen. Meeting people at their point of need is exactly the way Jesus lived out His ministry. Jesus allowed people to unveil their need without judgment. Will the world outside of the walls of our churches ever experience God's healing? Are Christians living up to the old W.W.J.D bracelet? I'd like to rather make this statement. D.W.J.D "Do What Jesus Did." Be Jesus. Not just what he might do, or should do. But focus on meeting each person hearing them below the surface, to the core of their need.
Jesus accepted the leper in Matthew 8. The leper said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responds directly to his need. He says, "I am willing, be cleansed." Immediately he was healed. I'm so thankful Jesus did not give him "10 way to understand life with leprosy!" He listened and met the need.
I must make a statement. Salvation is not a ticket to receive a life of no problems, perfect relationships, and no pain. Is is not praying a prayer + walk an aisle + be good + wear a tie to church = salvation. It is faith relationship with Christ. Salvation is of God, a miracle that happens when God changes a person's everything.
Why is suffering avoided at all cost?
Jesus suffered for us, beaten with a whip covered in bone, glass, rock, etc. The 12 disciples were brutally killed for following Christ, crucified, beheaded. The early church was constantly beheaded, burned alive, thrown to the lions. How have we gotten so comfortable to try and have a pain free life?
John 8:32 says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Freedom. Freedom from a life built upon self. Jesus sets us free not from problems or struggles...but to a lifetime of following Christ.
Matthew 16:24 says, "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me."
Jesus is the hope for today. If you do not have a relationship with Him, I'd encourage you to speak with Him. He wants to meet with you.
Please send me any comments/suggestions/ideas for this blog. I want to find the issues surrounding students in today's culture and go on a journey to find out the truth.
God doesn't need you. He wants you.
Not part of you. He wants all of you.
God loves you so much.