Jr./Sr. High Zone

"If You Died Today..."
Making A Commitment to Christ

"If you died today, would you go to Heaven?"

I can't count the number of times I have seen or heard this question. I'm sure you have heard it quite a few times as well. But, did this question ever really make you stop and think?

No? Not really? Maybe, but not for too long? I'm not surprised.

Face it, when you're a young person, the last thing on your mind is your own death. You are much more concerned about passing calculus, finishing three reports that are all due tomorrow, getting to the movies this afternoon, or finding a date for the prom.

You have your entire future ahead of you. You don't see your own mortality as clearly as someone in their 60's or 70's might. Death is a distant event, far in the future, that happens to someone else, not you.

Statistics reinforce that observation. Yes, it's true that anything can happen at any time to anyone. And, yes, there is a very remote chance that some tragic accident will happen today that could take your life. You may even know or at least have heard of a young person who has passed away, sadly, too young and too soon. But the odds are much more likely that you will live to a ripe old age of 70, 80, 90, or even more.

The main problem with this question lies in its intent. It tries to scare us into getting saved. And although getting saved because you want to go to Heaven and not Hell is better than not getting saved at all, it is nonetheless a very shallow and self-serving reason for making a commitment to Christ, and provides a dangerously weak foundation for Christian living.

The bottom line is this:

We should not be following Christ because we're scared of dying without knowing Him. Instead, we should be following Christ because we're scared of living without knowing Him.

In John 10:10 (ASV), Jesus said that he came "that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." The BBE translation quotes Jesus, perhaps more meaningfully, as saying "I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure."

Jesus Christ came to give us direction and purpose in our lives. How is it that one can have everything the world has to offer—fame, fortune, beauty, and power—yet still feel empty, that there's something missing? Only by living for Christ can we find true and long-lasting happiness.

So, instead of making a commitment to Christ for what He can do for us after we die, let's make a commitment to Christ for what He can be to us while we live—Savior, Master, Teacher, and Friend.

"Religion is the biggest thing that keeps me grounded. It's the backbone to my music and a huge inspiration for my lyrics. It doesn't let all this go to my head, and it helps me realize there's a reason for it all."--Jason Wade of the band Lifehouse.

Reprinted from CosmoGIRL!, October, 2002. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Youth Groups at Bethlehem Christian Church, Bethlehem Christian Church, or any of its leaders or members.

When asked by USA Today about their CD Hybrid Theory and its lack of profanity, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington had this to say:

"We didn't do it to avoid the parental advisory sticker...when you're writing lyrics, the last thing you want to do is cheat the music by summing up the message in a small phrase. We want to express ourselves to the fullest, and vulgarity doesn't add anything special. We found just the opposite. If you don't use it, you get your points across better."

Reprinted from USA Today, February 26, 2002. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Youth Groups at Bethlehem Christian Church, Bethlehem Christian Church, or any of its leaders or members.

So, did ya have a blast at the April 28 concert with Elijah Again and Revert II•7? It was a great time, and both bands were just awesome!

What was your favorite song from either band? I'll tell you mine--it was "Who's Your Daddy?" by Elijah Again. The guitar in it was just great, but it had very deep lyrics--words that get new meaning the more you listen to them.

On the surface, it seems like a song about kids who, for whatever reason, grow up without the love and influence of a father. Since about half of all marriages end in divorce, all too many young people know all too well what it is like to grow up without the daily involvment of a father.

But this song is really about more than that. It's not about fathers--it's about authority. It's not asking you who your father is, but instead it's asking you who is the authority figure in your life? Who do you answer to? Who controls and directs your life?

Now, before you start telling me that you're an independent person, that no one tells you what to do, and that no one has authority, control, or influence over you, let me tell you that you're wrong. Very simply, wrong. Wow. Sorry to step on your toes or burst your bubble, but it needed to be said. Please let me explain.

Everyone is allowing someone or something to control, guide, or influence their lives. Everyone. It may be obvious, or it may not be. It may be by choice, or against your will to various degrees. You may not even be aware of it. But it is happening.

There's this old 60's or 70's song that's called "You've Got to Serve Somebody", or something like that. I don't remember the song as much as I remember a few lines in it. It goes on about saying you can serve all kinds of different people, or God, or even the Devil himself, but that you ultimately end up serving someone with your life.

The Bible puts it even more simply. Matthew 6:24 (NRSV) says "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." The words of Joshua 24:15 (NRSV) challenge us even today: "Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

So, again, I ask you, who's the authority figure in your life? Who do you look to for guidance, for help in time of need, for direction in time of confusion, for support in time of doubt? Who do you allow to guide and direct your life?

Who's your daddy? I pray that your answer is Jesus Christ.

PS--If you'd like to talk more about how to make Jesus your daddy--the authority figure in your life--please feel free to call me at (757) 539-1966, e-mail me, or catch me at church. I'll be glad to talk with you.

I ran across this interview with Jessica Simpson from Teen magazine, and thought it spoke volumes on the topic of self-esteem. Juinor and senior high girls, especially pay attention to what Jessica has to say about the meaning of natural beauty. Some might think I should have edited this article somewhat, but to make sure the real point doesn't get lost, here it is in its entirety. Check it out.

T: How about your jewelry?

JS: I wear the same stuff every day: my platinum watch, a ring, a tennis bracelet and diamond studs for both day and going out looks.

T: Since you're a celeb, people tend to think your life is perfect. But everyone has insecurities. What's your biggest one?

JS: For me, it's keeping my weight down. I'll never forget the time I stopped in a mall while I was on a major diet kick. I was about to shoot a video and had gotten down to 104 pounds. I passed a group of girls and one of them said, "She's so fat!" really loud. I just wanted to go hide in a corner. People see me on a magazine cover after I've gone through two-and-a-half hours of hair and makeup and are let down when I don't look that way in real life.

T: Do you think feeling fat or not-so-pretty is sometimes a mental thing?

JS: Absolutely. There's no way you can really gain five pounds in one day, but you can feel like you have. You play mind tricks with yourself. Lately, I just try to look at myself in the mirror every day and say, "Today I'm going to believe that I'm beautiful and be proud of what God has made." 'Cause when you tell yourself that, you begin to believe it. Just like if you tell yourself, "Oh, man, I look so fat," you're going to believe it.

T: Well said. What do you think is the biggest beauty mistakes girls make when going out?

JS: Dark eyes and dark lips. It should always be one or the other. And when girls dress all raunchy, I think that's a mistake. I'm so much more into classy-sexy. To me, a big, oversized sweater with a cute pair of tight jeans is much sexier than a hoochie-mama skirt. And I'm over the stomach-showing thing. It's getting old.

T: Agreed. What's your last bit of beauty advice?

JS: Natural beauty is really happiness with who you are. If you like who you are on the inside, that'll come through out the outside.