There are times when working with kids simply breaks my heart.
Having students trust you enough to tell you about the stuff that’s going on in their lives is a mixed blessing. You get to hear the good stuff, but the flip side is the bad that accompanies each life story.
Today I spent about 30 minutes talking to a young man whose girlfriend is pregnant for the third time. They’ve been dating since 6th grade. She’s miscarried twice. He’s been the father all three times. He’s excited to be a father, even telling me that he’s ready. I asked if he would be supporting her financially.
“Of course,” he said, “Me and my dad.”
Did your jaw just drop open?
Yeah, so did mine…at least in my mind, as I somehow managed to maintain my composure.
I asked him if he attends church, and he responded in the affirmative. I then asked him if he reads his Bible regularly.
Here is where he hemmed and hawed.
It was an interesting conversation. I was very careful not to come across as judgmental. Everything I said came from a sincere heart filled with concern for where he’s going to spend eternity.
As we talked, I grew to understand that he’s very aware of the choices he’s making, and he knows they are wrong.
I asked if he planned on marrying his girlfriend. He said maybe this summer. Meanwhile, they are gonna keep doing what they’re doing.
Sigh…
My heart is sad because he’s not the only young person living this way. He pointed out a girl in the class who is several months pregnant. She and his girlfriend are seeing the same OBGYN. The doctor told the other girl that having sex while pregnant is good for the baby…and this in front of the student’s mom who had just remarked to her daughter that she should stop having sex now that she was pregnant.
What kind of world are we living in where this kind of thing is the norm?
I tried to share God’s Word with him, but I got stuck. He knows he’s guilty of breaking God’s Law, but he doesn’t seem to care a whole lot. I’m going to be praying for him, and I’d like you to pray for him, as well as the other young people in the world. How do we reach them? We can’t force them to repent. All we can do is present the Law to them and then pray.
Still, it makes me sad.
Interestingly enough, I heard Toby Mac’s song, “Lose My Soul” on the way to Bible study tonight. This world is focused on the here and now. People don’t realize what they are giving up when they seek instant, earthly gratification. We are all guilty of this, to various degrees.
As you listen to the song, scroll down and follow along with the words I’ve included. As I sit here and watch American Idol, the lyrics hit home. How many people watch this show each week (me included)? What a high value we place on earthly status, when we should be concerned for where we and others will be when this world passes away.
On to the song!
Man I wanna tell ya’ll something, Man.
Man I’m not gonna let these material thing’s, get in my way, ya’ll.
I’m trying to get somewhere.
I’m trying to get somewhere,
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.
Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life’s demands,
‘Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I’m gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I’m gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I’m an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it’s only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I’m a little kid at a three ring circus.
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Mr. Franklin, Step up to the mic sir)
The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it’s you,
But they don’t know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where’s your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what’s your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We’re free…
Not because of 22’s on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I’m Paul.
(YEP!)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don’t wanna walk away,
Don’t wanna walk away
How do I sense the tide that’s rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that’s rising?
It’s hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that’s rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.
(Lord what we gon do,We’re relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don’t wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don’t let me lose my soul, my soul.)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won’t you cover me.)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don’t wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don’t wanna lose, I don’t wanna lose my soul.)
Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.
(Hallelujah, Don’t wanna lose our soul,
No, Don’t wanna lose my soul.)
Hey excuse me,
I’m looking or the after party,
Toby,
Haha, yeah, last door on the left, you’ll hear it.
Thanks,
No problem.
Don’t let me lose my soul, I never wanna walk away,
I don’t wanna lose my soul,
No, no, no.
Don’t let me, don’t let me, lose my soul,
I don’t wanna walk away,
Don’t let me walk away,
Na na na na no,
Don’t let me lose, my soul,
I’m never gonna walk away.
Filed under: Christian | Tagged: Christianity, gospel, Lose My Soul, teenagers, Toby Mac | 3 Comments »
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