Where's the love?

Being a teenager is hard. I think its even harder today than it was 10 years ago. Just getting through it all - dealing with the drama of friends and relationships - is filled with enough frustration. . . then add to that trying to actually live out your faith. I have so much respect for young women who have dedicated themselves to following Jesus even when everything and everyone around them is telling them its ridiculous.

It would be nice if I could tell my girls that once they fully devote themselves to God the road is easy. But the truth is, they'll have to deal with battles not only within themselves, but also with the world. The book of John says it like this:

"If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start
hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as
one of its own. But since I picked you out to live on God's terms and no
longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you." John
15:18-19

Our reality is that if the world hated Jesus - the very man who came to earth to die for them - then the world is not going to be too fond of those of us who truly love Him. The problem is that Jesus wasn't just a nice guy and a pushover. He spoke truths that sometimes required life change. If you are going to really walk with Jesus, then you simply cannot live like everyone else. That's what John means when he says that we are to live on God's terms. There are things that the world says are ok but that God says are evil. And the people who long to linger in the evil of this world are not going to bless and encourage those of us who want to call out evil for what it truly is.

So, really, this should be an encouragement to those of you who are feeling hated. The world hated Jesus too, you know. . . But there is more encouragement here that just the knowledge that you are following in your Savior's footsteps. We have not only Jesus' example as we walk with God, we have also His help and presence.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you." John 15:4

He walked before us on these dirty roads we face, and now he longs to walk with us!! Even if the whole entire world is against you - the Creator of the Universe is longing to live within you! There is nothing that you cannot accomplish, no joy that cannot be made complete when you have the living presence of God.

So, where are you at with the world? Some of us are still consumed with wanting the world (and the people in it) to love us. So, we live kind of a 'closet' Christianity. We love God, but not enough to change our lives in any way that would make someone look twice. Others of us are halfway there. . . We've made a valiant effort to live as Jesus did, to truly walk the talk. But sometimes we just can't help but feel embarrassed and crawl back into our shell. Its hard to know that people don't like you. . . and its hard to say no to the things of this world that seem so good. Then there are a few who somehow have managed to forsake everything in this world for the cause of Jesus. They are willing to suffer all kinds of persecution and judgement for their faith. They consider everything a loss except knowing Him.

My prayer today is that no matter where you are on this journey - you are convinced that Jesus is worth any sacrifice. He certainly thought that of you. . . So take a reflective look at your life. Is the world a little too in love with you (and you with it)? Are you more concerned with pleasing your friends than doing what Jesus would do?

It ain't easy - but girls - there is NO greater joy than walking with God.

Today, this is my prayer for you:

"Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped
praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to
his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God
works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of
you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God
works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll
have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim
strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is
strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the
Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and
beautiful that he has for us." Colossians 1:9-12