Choose to Live

Sadly, I have known or known a friend of someone who has or attempted suicide this school year. Life has become overwhelming, too hard, too lonely and/or too much for so many teens.

I do not know where you are in your life. I do not know the struggles you are facing daily. Your home or school life may be a complete disaster. But I do know the pressure can be overwhelming. Life can be very competitive. And even if you have several hundred friends on facebook, you can still feel alone. And some things in life just completely stink.

So how do you handle all the stinkiness of life? How do you deal with all the yucky parts? Do you choose to give up? Or do you choose to live?

I pray you choose to live. But it is not only choosing to live but choosing what you live for.

If you and I choose to live for the world, live to please the world, live to be like the world, well life is going to get stinky. For one, the world changes what it likes and wants faster than we can keep up. Second, everyone else living for the world will not hesitate to trample all over you and tear you down for the world. It is just an ugly place.

But...and I mean BUT...if you live for Christ, well there are actually some benefits.

1. You do not battle the world alone. God fights for you.
2. You are never alone. You are a friend of God.
3. God's Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It does not change.
4. You are storing up treasures in Heaven. (Remember this earth is our temporary home.)
5. You do not become the world, you get to rock the world for Christ.

Listen, my sweet young friend, you were created by God and you and your life are very important to God. (Remember, so important God has even numbered the hairs on your head.) God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sin. God loves you and He will never leave you. So your life is worth living.

And (and this is a big AND), your life is worth living for God. As I said yesterday, most adults are messing up their own lives and others around them. God is calling you to live your life for Him. God has chosen you. Are you ready to live your life for Christ?

You have two choices, to live or to live your life for Christ. What have you got to lose? But just think what you have to gain!

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness " Colossians 2:6-7

(If life has become too much and you do not think you can choose to live, immediately get help from a youth pastor or worker. If possible talk to a parent. If you need someone, call me day or night. Your life is too precious to God and to me. 817-522-8231)

This is my life, I choose:

Write this verse on my mirror:
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

* as I brush out the tangles, to ask God to forgive me for living to please the world.
*as I put on my contacts (eye makeup), ask God to help me see the changes I need to make to live my life for Him.
*as I brush my teeth, to ask God to help me speak words that are pleasing to Him..
*as I put on my clothes, to put on the armor of God.