I’ve had my focus and attention on so many things this week, that I’ve barely had any time to think, much less to write about what I want to share to the high school kids tomorrow, at their Chapel Time. Moving forward, I think I should have a ready-set of messages, or a series for them for us to talk about, at least for this coming year.
But we’re talking now about tomorrow. I’m assuming I’ll be talking to most of the Junior High folks – the cool kids and who I’m calling, the oddballs. Surprisingly, I get more responses from the oddballs, and I think I’ll be giving them more consideration when it comes to putting my messages together.
What do have so far when I think about this target audience? Well so far I have at least two or three of them quite outspoken, or unafraid to say what’s on their mind, whether it be questions or just outright outbursts – positive outbursts, at least. There’s at least one of them who has felt the pain of rejection, by way of ghosting – imagine, kids a third of my age getting ghosted, and knowing what it means to be ghosted. I was twice their age, getting ghosted before getting ghosted was a term, and I knew I wrote a whole deal about it, if only to leave a small dent on the huge, heavy load of anxiety mingled with bitterness and all sorts of other beautiful emotions.
There’s at least one of them who has openly expressed having a hard time forgiving people. Of course, I wasn’t about to put this person on the spot by asking for the whole story right then and there – in fact, the tone of voice added so much more to the projected story, much more than the words that were said.
And again, as I share that, I’m realizing, these kids are encountering incidents and situations that I only found myself in later in my life; I’m supposedly more prepared for such, ‘attacks’, but again, I’ve had to expend a significant amount of human capital to cope and to learn from them. These oddballs are younger, and the events to them are fresher.
I’ve been going along with the overall theme of God being with us and being as close to us as we could ever be. It’s been an underlying theme for them throughout November – God loves them, God gave to them, God encourages them, and God forgives them, and they are able, therefore, to love, give, encourage, and forgive in a forward manner. But I’m pretty sure I keep reminding them that wherever they are in the process of receiving or projecting love, generosity, encouragement, and forgiveness, they can be sure that this same God is with them, and is as close to them as He could be.
I think I should reiterate what I wrote about previously. It is, after all a simple creed to precede everything else:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was born, He died, He rose again, and He ascended into heaven. We are fully alive in Him, and He is always present in us, now and forever.
You know now that I see it, it sort of addresses the series I’ve had for the adults every Sunday service, but we go straight to Christ (as I probably should have done):
Who is Christ? He is the Son of God. What did He do? He was born, He died, He rose again, and He ascended into heaven. Who are we? We are fully alive in Him, and He is always present in us, now and forever.
See here, I was about to add in ‘We are new creations’ before saying ‘We are fully alive in Him…’; but I stopped, because what I already had there subtly communicates another point I’ve always wanted to share: That our identity is not apart from Christ. Or, rather, in considering our identity, it is inevitable that we would mention Christ. And I think that’s beautiful.
Also, if you’ve been following my said November series for the adults, you may notice that the ‘creed’ doesn’t answer the final question – that is, what do we do?
Well, if I was going to be adding anything to the creed it’ll probably be a simple, ‘Thank You, my Lord and Savior!’ at the end. Because I believe that if we were to be in accordance with the will of God in any circumstance or situation, there has to be some thankfulness and gratitude going on. I pointed 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.’
Speaking of ‘any circumstance or situation’, I sort of thought that if there were things we could constantly thank God for, they’re right there.
At times when we’re overwhelmed by powers or entities that possess far more power than we could handle, we give thanks, because Jesus is the Son of God.
During instances that we’re confused in trying to figure out what to do, we can give thanks, because Christ was born, died, rose again, and ascended in to heaven. Let me clarify. In our giving thanks for such, and in our proclaiming God’s goodness through Christ’s work, faith arises as we realize what Christ has done is complete, finished, and selfless… among other things.
In moments we’re feeling alone and powerless we are able to give thanks, for even in those moments, we are fully alive in Him, and He is always present in us, now and forever.
In everything we can give thanks, for Jesus is the Son of God. We can give thanks, for Jesus was born, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven. We give thanks, because we are fully alive in Him, and He is always present in us.
I think we’ll stick to this, for tomorrow. It’ll answer the question CB Samuel had for all of us: ‘Who is Jesus Christ in your ministry?’
I’m excited to tell the kids – the cool ones and the oddballs – tomorrow.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was born, He died, He rose again, and He ascended into heaven. We are fully alive in Him, and He is always present in us, now and forever. Thank You, my Lord and Savior!
Until the next post, God bless you.
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
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