MARK 10:17
Jesus is the one and only way! As teenagers, we want Jesus to fit into our way and our lifestyle and as long as He doesn’t “conflict” with our lives, being a Christian is okay. We change His teachings to fit our needs and wants. Our lives control our faith and blind us from reality. God recently made me realize that I am too materialistic and concerned about money, and this attitude keeps me away from Him. I am guilty of changing the channel on the television when there is a commercial showing poverty-stricken countries and needy families. One phrase that stuck with me since church camp is that Jesus came to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable! I’ll admit I’m very comfortable. God is teaching me I can’t simply sit here and pray for the needy and the troubled. I must put those prayers into action. Recently, my best friend and I adopted a Ugandan girl to support for the next several years of her life. I can’t keep my money and possessions to myself anymore. I must reach out to those in need, just as Jesus did. God told the rich young man to sell everything and give it all to the poor and follow Him, and then he would have eternal life. Jesus said whoever has left everything for Him will not fail, but be rich in Him! When I am really trying to walk with the One “who is the way,” the satisfaction is external. I pray that we all will find God’s way and turn away from our own way.
Shelbie Lutz, 17, Seaman High School, Topeka, KS
I don’t want to just sit around
while people suffer. Lord. I pray that I will not
just pray for them but actually go and help them today.