My mind has been swirling with thoughts, debates and a determination to do something (though I'm not entirely sure what) since I left the Audubon high school's auditorium last night. The FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) sponsored a showing of "To Save a Life."
The movie was an amazingly accurate portrayal of teenage life today. I was a bit taken aback by the use of language, the pretty honest (okay, blunt) picture of the partying, drinking, sex that goes on with today's youth. The conservative-mom side of me came out as I thought "well maybe they didn't need to show all of that to get the point across." Yet, if I am honest with myself, I think maybe it gets under my skin not because it was "inappropriate" but precisely because it is real. And because it hits just a little too close to home. Yea, hiding behind the conservative-mom side is the "ouch, I've been there side."
What if someone, when I was 14,15, 16 would have stopped and said, "Yea I know this is what you're up against, what you might be doing." Would I have walked a different path? I'm not sure. We can't go back and we can't redo.
Which leads me to my next point.
Though the movie was almost painfully (for the parents there - though no surprise to the kids) honest about the issues teens are dealing with, it was still a movie.
Which meant that after about 90 minutes, the producers wrapped it up neatly, put a bow around it - and we leave the theater (or auditorium).
Hmm, maybe that is what scares me for today's youth. Speaking directly to you, your choices don't have an impact for only 90 minutes. The baby born to the young couple? She will have questions and identity issues the rest of her life. The girl came to know Christ and the boy stayed. That doesn't always happen in real life either. The boy doesn't always own up to his responsibilities. College can't always wait. The fairytale doesn't usually happen. The drinking at the parties? Too often ends up with someone losing their life. And if it isn't that dire, someone at those parties usually makes a dumb choice, that again, has an impact lasting longer than the length of a movie.
Okay, so now that I've sounded like a complete downer - here's the thing. God does extend grace. So if you are already heading down that winding path, life already seems like it is spinning out of control, there is hope. Jesus is for people like you - people like me. And that isn't "religion". That is a personal God who sent His Son to redeem you from that path you might be wandering or even just standing on the brink, contemplating.
Your choices, as you see in the movie, have an impact. Have lasting consequences. On yourself and on others. The seemingly unanimous favorite quote in the movie (and mine too!) is "What is the point of all of this if you aren't going to let it change you?"
If you haven't seen the movie, I would do so. You aren't alone on whatever end of the spectrum you are on in that crazy jungle called high school. Others HAVE been there and know how you feel. I urge you to make choices that, though not the most comfortable here, will have lasting implications for eternity. The good choices. It's so easy to go to an assembly, see a powerful movie, listen to a rockin' contempory Christian song and be moved and then do...nothing. Well I urge you to do something. Reach out to those who struggle. Have the courage to stand strong in your virtues.
Because, again - "What is the point of all of this if you aren't going to let it change you?"
Thanks Audubon FCA for putting this out there. I will be praying as you blaze trails through this little town daring to take a stand for what is right.
