Today was a beautiful fall day - and since I wasn't traveling/speaking at a conference, I decided to hit the bike trails. I stopped
at a picnic shelter for a water break when the trails became blanketed with dozens
of high school kids walking home from school. I couldn’t help but notice a girl
walking by herself, head hanging, sad and depressed-looking. She sat down at
the picnic table near me.
After a short while, I heard myself say (yep, weird), “Where
do you go to school?” She looked up at me as if to say, “I can’t believe you’re
asking me a question. I’m busy listening to my music. Bug off.”
Girl: “Uhhhh – South.”
Me: “What grade?”
Girl: “Uhhhhh – ni-i-i-i-nth?” (As if she was asking ME the
question.)
Me: “Do you like school?”
Girl: Shook her head.
Kids continued to flock down the trails. Many “colorful”
words swirled like the fall leaves. A group of athletes jogged, cussed, and
taunted each other. Next - a girl loudly and boldly described her plans to beat
up another girl as her “group” listened intently.
Me: “Wow, it must be hard to be a student. There are some
tough kids out there.”
Girl: Nodded (head hanging).
Me: “Do you go to church around here anywhere?”
Girl: “Pffff. No!”
Me: “There are a lot of great youth groups. You might really
enjoy it.
Girl: “Pffff. No. I don’t go to church.”
Me: “Sooo, why not?”
Girl: “Uhhh – I don’t believe in God (gawwwwd) is why.”
Me: “Seriously? When you look at all these beautiful colors,
do you think they just appeared from some explosion or something?”
Girl: “No.”
Me: “God created them. God created YOU. He loves you so much. And He’s always
there for you. What do you do when you feel empty inside? Do you ever feel sad
or lonely?”
Girl: “I have my music.”
Me: “Music doesn't love you. Music is just - music. God
loves you. God knows all about you. God created you so special and so unique.
Music can’t do that for you. Only God can give you true joy and peace.
About that time a group of girls showed up on the trails and
asked if she had a cigarette lighter as they motioned for her to join them.
When she got up I said, “Hey, don’t ever forget this
conversation.”
As I climbed back on my bike, I couldn't help but wonder - if
she actually walked through the doors of a church this Sunday, would she feel
accepted in a youth group? Would she feel accepted in my own church’s youth
group? Would she feel loved by our kids – or does she actually feel more
accepted and loved by the group of kids on the trail? Would we “motion for her
to join us?”
As I rode toward home on the trail, I noticed a high school
boy walking by himself – head hanging, sad and depressed-looking. Another one.
My heart ACHES for these kids! I could hardly remove the
lump in my throat all the way back home as I prayed for our teens. There is so
much pressure on them. They’re facing so many difficulties. I realized how much
Satan gains victory if he can capture them when they’re young. Kudos to youth
pastors. Kudos to parents who place family first. Kudos to teens who truly care
about other teens.
Please pray for these kids. They’re our future, they’re our
past, and they’re our “present.” What “gift” can you share with a teen this
week?
“Motion for someone to join you” this Sunday at your church! You just might change someone's life.
