If I could encourage any message to a young person, yet even any older person whose thoughts are uncertain in securing a direction for life, it would be pursuing a clear understanding of who you would like to be or where you want to end up. The world pulls and challenges us with what may not be the best, it might even lead into things that destroy the heart, mind, and soul of what life was meant to be. So, as a young person, or any of us whether a Christian or not, you must have some understanding of where these dangers may lie. For any of us, we walk within the norms of life where these subtle things cross our paths with us not even realizing it. Whether in the good times or bad, we all have to cope with the troubles of life.
Failed love affairs, backbiting, corruption, greed, global warming, political unrest, hate, the uncertainties of life. What gets us through all this? What do you have in mind? Astrology? New Age religion? Where belief is whatever works for you? Glitter and gold? Just as in the lyrics for “Stairway to Heaven” read: “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold. And she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven.”
I want to tell you, to be a Christian is not to be taken on a whim. It calls you to a lifetime of service, worship, and fellowship because it is true. It walks you through life, the good and the bad. Christ’s life has changed thousands of us who have lost any certainty of what religion and the world sells us. It’s neither a joy ride nor wishful thinking. You have to be one who doesn’t think deeply in just how real Christ is. As someone has said, just in the reality of the Jews existence, and how as a people they became a nation; they are a people bound as no other in humanity. It’s like a message that’s stumbled upon the written sands of time that points to its secrets within its creator. Yet, in the Book of Old, its scripture has told this and much more before any human realize it’s revealing truths. This is not wishful thinking, or “Whatever Works for You.” It’s knowing Christ in the most personable freeing way.
Deni Shepard, Franklin