"Christianity is More than a Religion. It's a Relationship"

There are times in our lives when we do not know what path to take.  We do not know where to go from here.  You have reached the CrossRoads. This is a small one to two page newsletter written by the President of Christians on Campus, Amy Pinneo.  Here, certain areas of a teenagers daily life are covered.  CrossRoads is here to give you a little advice on what the Word of God says you should do. 

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Gal.  1:3-4

    Well, here we are--the third month of school.  By now the nervousness is gone and in its place is the sense of commonplace.  Most of you are finally able to open your lockers without the use of a little slip of paper and with any luck at all, you've made some new friends.  Whatever the situations, we've all entered into our individual routines, and many of us have become quite busy.  At such a time, however, we need to ask ourselves the question that most read or hear every day...WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

    This question has been so advertised that many tend to shrug it off as simply another slogan.  Let me ask it in a different way...WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IN MY SITUATION?  Unfortunately, by the third month of school individuals have been labeled, so to speak, in the minds of their peers:  the geeks, the drugees, the skaters, the list is extensive.  And yet such stereotypical labeling creates certain "clicks."  Certain individuals are seen only with certain other individuals of their likeness and their are those few that simply don't fit in.  How many of us actually act as I believe Jesus would and befriend those "leftover" individuals?

    I suppose the question we ought to be asking now is AM I WILLING TO LEAVE MY COMFORT ZONE TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE FEEL A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE?  The truth is, as Christians we've been called to spread the good news.  We may be the only bibles some kids will ever read.  AM I DEMONSTRATING CHRIST'S LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE THE WAY I OUGHT TO BE?  It's a question only you can answer.  Nobody's perfect, and my guess is--if truly honest--most of us would have to answer no.  It's human tendency to label and enter into a protected "comfort zone."  My challenge to you is to separate yourself from the ways of the world and walk in love.  Try to look at an individual through God's eyes.  No matter what they've done, no matter how they act, treat them as Jesus would, and minister to them in any way possible.

    So often what saves people is not memorized and perfectly quoted scripture verses, but individual acts of kindness--performed as a result of love.  Let me tell you a story...
One day as a boy was waling home from school--as he did every day around that time--he came across an individual carrying loads of books and papers.  Seeing that the individual was struggling to hold all of this,  the boy approached and took half of the items into his own hands and proceeded to walk this "stranger" home, making small-talk along the way.  After that day the boy saw the individual around school and would often wave, buy the two never got close.  The years passed quickly and before they know it, it was time to graduate.  After the ceremony the young man was approached by the one he'd helped as a freshman so long ago.  By now he'd almost forgotten this act of kindness, as it was simply something he'd done out of love, nothing he desired praise for.  In fact, he'd thought nothing of it really.  After the initial approaching there was a short silence...
    "Remember that day you walked me home from school?"
    There was another short silence.  "Yeah, I remember, why?
    "Did you ever wonder why I had so much stuff in my hands?"
    The young man answered quite honestly..."No, not really, why?"
    "I'd cleaned out my locker that day because I'd planned on killing myself.  I hated my life and I figured no one would care.  When you stopped to help me it made me feel good.  I didn't think anyone cared.  I just wanted to say thanks...You saved my life."
    With that the young man walked away, leaving the other in shock.  The moral-the best weapon we have against the devil is love.  We don't need to be an excellent speaker to make difference in someone's life.  In fact, most often it's the little acts of kindness performed without thinking that make the biggest difference,  My challenge to you...Be kind.  Be giving.  Sometimes the littlest deed left undone may've been just the thing Jesus could've used to save a life.

MONTHLY CHALLENGE...
...TO KEEP THE FAITH, BUT NOT TO YOURSELVES!

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Last modified: November 5, 2000