Sad and misguided.

 

I heard second-hand of a conversation the other night between some friends of mine where a comment was made by one to the effect that high school kids are not capable of being "salt and light" in public schools without being corrupted by the world around them.  This person believes that only "trained adults" are capable of carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ into American public schools and being effective witnesses for the truth in those dark places.

 

Arghhhh!  That just makes my hackles stand on end.  My friend who was sharing this conversation with me made the comment that this is a belief based in fear.  I wholeheartedly agree but would take it one step further, stating that this is a belief based in defeat as well as having a good dose of spiritual favoritism and snobbery thrown in. 

 

When you get right down to it, the worldview that this statement springs from must hold that youth (an indeterminate age bracket, let's just say 18-25 for kicks) are second class citizens when it comes to the kingdom of God.  Because, after all, they are not capable of withstanding the torent of horrors that the secular world is eagerly awaiting to throw at them if they should be so daft as to subject themselves to the hell on earth that is High School!  Only more "mature" believers are equipped and able to bear the ever so heavy Cross of Christ to those heathens.  And don't forget that God does not hold youth to the same standards of being "salt and light" and a "city on a hill" or being ready to bear witness to the work of God in their own lives or to be in the world but not of it or (heaven forbid) to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you."

 

Arghhhh!  What do you say to that?!  I have plenty to say to tell the truth but it all wants to come tumbling out at the same time and so most of the time nothing comes out.  I just had to vent on this. 

 

I was sitting around with my high-school worship band tonight and shared with them some of my thoughts on the subject.  Basically, I think just the opposite.  I do believe that believers going to public schools or private schools or colleges and universities bear the same responsibility to obey God's calling in their life as someone out of school above the age of 25.  He has called us to bear witness no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, no matter who we are.  And yes, we will stumble and fall at times, again no matter who we are, but that's what grace is all about.  I've worked with high-shcool kids in church environments since I was 16.  I wouldn't have done and be doing the things I do if I didn't believe that these young believers can make a stand and can bear witness for Christ in dark places.  Why should we expect less of them than any other believer?  The answer is we shouldn't, and if we do, we do them a disservice by looking down on them because they are young and we do the Body of Christ a disservice by eviscerating a powerful portion of God's people who have tremendous opportunity to be salt and light where no one else can be.

 

I think of my band, just a bunch of kids struggling to live out their faith every day, and I have hope.  They are struggling to live out their faith.  They have not caved or given into the pressure.  They show up to give of themselves every Monday night and Sunday morning at 7:30 am because their faith is real.  They are the only true answer to the unknowing lies that sometimes spew out of peoples mouths.  They are the Body of Christ for tomorrow.

 

the MK