“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
Proverbs 8:12-13
At least, it used to be.
Over the past few years, I have been asking the question in a very different way as the sun dawns on across the waves I look at each morning. “Lord, how many today?” How many young people were shot last night? How many young girls sold themselves? How many overdoses were there? How many people had no place to sleep and nothing to eat? How many funerals are being planned this morning? “Lord, how many today?”
I'm sure your local morning news features the same daily reports I see. Young men killing each other, innocents caught in the crossfire, assaults, robberies, drug busts, police investigating, yellow tape stretched across the street in the darkness, blue and red lights flashing.
Before we become too numb to these same stories as we pour our morning coffee, it is time we do something. Because while the news tells us what is happening, it does not report why it is happening.
Over the past few years, I have been asking the question in a very different way as the sun dawns on across the waves I look at each morning. “Lord, how many today?” How many young people were shot last night? How many young girls sold themselves? How many overdoses were there? How many people had no place to sleep and nothing to eat? How many funerals are being planned this morning? “Lord, how many today?”
I'm sure your local morning news features the same daily reports I see. Young men killing each other, innocents caught in the crossfire, assaults, robberies, drug busts, police investigating, yellow tape stretched across the street in the darkness, blue and red lights flashing.
Before we become too numb to these same stories as we pour our morning coffee, it is time we do something. Because while the news tells us what is happening, it does not report why it is happening.
So, before it’s too late, I have this question for young people struggling to make their way in the world today. Perhaps you can ask this question to the kids you come across throughout your day: What do you do when your life comes to a dead end even before it really begins? What do you do when you have no hope? What do you do when you believe your only power is a gun? What do you do when your only escape is a drug that's got you enslaved? What do you do when you think your only option is a man who is promising you everything?
If you have the chance - and I pray you do - tell them they DO have options. Tell them they must make a choice. And the choice they make will determine the fate of their young soul.
I will never say that all this violence is happening because of society, or government, or oppression. Ultimately, it is happening because someone, an individual, makes the choice to pull the trigger, to take the drugs, to sell themselves . . . or to sell someone else.
That is why as adults, as leaders of families, businesses, and our communities; as parents who love our children, and as followers of Jesus, we must actively, energetically, and forcefully offer another choice to the kids who think there is no other way. We must get as close to them as possible and effectively demonstrate the love of Christ. We must creatively and courageously show them that His love for them as individuals is undeniable and offers the greatest care, value, and respect anyone can ever know.
Remember, you may be the only Jesus these young people will ever know. They may never again experience His love if not through you. That is why our Lord is depending on you so much. He needs you to ask yourself, “How many today, Lord?” How many more will die? How many more will live? How many more will put down their guns and pick up Your Cross?
Dear Lord, help me to show every young person I encounter that the way of your Son, Jesus, is the greatest hope and the best choice in life. Amen.
If you have the chance - and I pray you do - tell them they DO have options. Tell them they must make a choice. And the choice they make will determine the fate of their young soul.
I will never say that all this violence is happening because of society, or government, or oppression. Ultimately, it is happening because someone, an individual, makes the choice to pull the trigger, to take the drugs, to sell themselves . . . or to sell someone else.
That is why as adults, as leaders of families, businesses, and our communities; as parents who love our children, and as followers of Jesus, we must actively, energetically, and forcefully offer another choice to the kids who think there is no other way. We must get as close to them as possible and effectively demonstrate the love of Christ. We must creatively and courageously show them that His love for them as individuals is undeniable and offers the greatest care, value, and respect anyone can ever know.
Remember, you may be the only Jesus these young people will ever know. They may never again experience His love if not through you. That is why our Lord is depending on you so much. He needs you to ask yourself, “How many today, Lord?” How many more will die? How many more will live? How many more will put down their guns and pick up Your Cross?
Today’s prayer
Dear Lord, help me to show every young person I encounter that the way of your Son, Jesus, is the greatest hope and the best choice in life. Amen.
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