Yesterday I was helping on of the teens from our youth group fill out a spiritual autobiography for a camp that she intends to work at this summer. One of the questions on the application asked her to give her opinion and experience with the following; homosexuality, drinking, smoking, living together before you are married, and premarital sex. As I read over the questions I knew that the easiest answer would be the “Sunday School” answer, but I knew she could give me more.
You see this particular girl is my inspiration. When we first met her she was the most popular girl in school. She had the hottest boyfriend and although she was only in Jr. High, she got to go to the best parties. She is athletic, pretty, smart…she looked like she had it all. And, as her story goes, she fell in love with God. Only 2 years later she has become a leader in our youth group, church and a brave servant for her saviour. Although she has a very supportive church family, she is the only christian in her immediate and extended family.
So when we began answeering these questions her response was ” Its so hard for me, because when these things happen in my family they are celebrated. Everyone was excited when my cousin and his girlfriend moved in together. But as a christian, even though I know they are wrong I still want to support them”
Wow.
As we continued she explained ” I know that I dont have as much experience as a lot of other people who have been christians all thier lives. Maybe I cant quote bible verses or explain things very well, but I think that I will be able to relate to these kids because I have experience with everything they are going through”.
Wow.
As I sat and listened to her explain her testimony I was inspired. I told her that what she had I hoped she never lost. Sometimes mature christians get so secluded in their “christian bubbles” that they can no longer relate to non-christians. They almost forget what it was like to be a “sinner” because they are engulfed by thier “perfect” world. What a waste! Dont they know its not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick?
16 year olds = Inspiration. Find one today.
