What You See Is What You Get!

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).

Hey Gang:  Many years ago, at least it seems that way, a Christian brother called and asked if I would pinch hit for him at a teen agers retreat.  At that time one of the hats I was wearing was Eagle Village Chaplain.  I had learned, in my tenure as presenter of the Word to kids who had no spiritual grounding, the kiss (Keep it Simple Stupid) method of presenting the gospel was essential, if I was going to be even remotely successful.

I readily accepted his invite for I longed to be able to share with folks who were not locked into the kinder-garden of faith and share some of the neat things that God had taught me.

Shortly after our arrival and first contact with the thirty or so teen agers and six adult support team, we learned that we were a wee-bit optimistic in the content of the materials we had prepared for the three days.    I learned the card game ‘Scum” was of far more interest than learning what God wanted to do with their hearts and lives.

One of the young ladies wore a T shirt that kind of focused on the attitude of the group, that night “ANYTHING GOES”.  I haven’t a clue what message she was trying to send but it certainly got my attention.   I wondered if anyone of the group had ever read the words of Daniel when he declared “I will not defile myself”. 

I changed my message that first night and centered on a little wooden match. I lit the match and invited anyone who was willing to come and put their finger in it.  I had no takers! As I read Revelation 20:11-15 to them, there was a hush that settled over the group and I sensed a change of attitude from what they thought they were there for – to why they needed to be there. 

In the following two days, God opened the hearts of teens and adults alike.  The weekend culminated around a fire where God moved in a mighty way in the hearts of all who were there.  A pact was agreed and signed by all the teens that they would remain pure until God showed them who was to be there help-mate for life. 

So, my friends, you may not have the opportunity to challenge a group of teens to put away their ‘Anything Goes’ T-shirts’ and ‘Scum cards’, but the Word tells us the harvest is rich but the workers few.  God may want to use you right now to do a mighty work in the life of a hurting soul.  Are you available?

Blessings,

Gramps