Look in the Mirror

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1 Cor. 3:16-17

The Christian life is not easy. Satan lies in wait, like a sinister felon waiting to pounce. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." Satan doesn't want Christians to live victoriously. Satan wants us to turn anywhere but to God, for comfort, for redemption, for companionship. Satan knows that's the only way to win.

Yet, the second half of that verse, spoken by Jesus, reminds us that we don't struggle alone. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Satan knows what happens when we turn to Jesus. Full life. Victory. He's fighting with all he's got.

I get mad (at myself) when Satan trips me up. I just don't like it. But I get really mad when Satan messes with kids. My heart breaks for students who "go EMO," who cut, who drink, have sex, sell out on who they are all for the sake of "fitting in" somewhere.

I'm way beyond high school. (Though we did have electricity. It wasn't that long ago.) I remember the desperate desire to fit in, though no one noticed me. I wanted to go to the cool parties, but I wasn't invited. I wanted to hang out with the cool people in the commons area, but I just passed through hoping I didn't trip and give them something to laugh at. High school is so hard.

I look back on those years, now, with the wisdom of years. I understand that once the diplomas are passed out, the slate wipes clean. It's a fresh start for everybody. Many of the cool people I knew in high school went nowhere. Some of them died, from drinking and driving and being "too cool." Most have scattered across the U.S., living a life similar to mine: house, kids, spouse, job.

Students, please listen. What matters today is not peer approval. What matters today discovering who you really are. Your personality, your sensitivities, your talents, your passions - those are yours forever. God designed you special and perfect. Psalm 139 says you "are fearfully and wonderfully made." You are PERFECTLY who God wants you to be.

If you cut, because you need to feel you are real, look in the mirror. See that beautiful face? You are real. God loves that face in the mirror. If you hide behind a style: EMO, pants hanging low, AE or Hollister, know that God doesn't care about the look or the label. He cares about YOU. Look in the mirror. See that beautiful face? That's you. The you God created. The you that God loves.

If you live for a relationship, "I just need someone to love me," look in the mirror. Sex does not equal love. You might crave acceptance and belonging, but you won't find it in sex. Look in the mirror. God loves that face staring back at you. God has dreams for you. He has a plan for you. Sex will mess it up.

Don't let Satan's lies steal your life today. Don't let Satan's lies keep you from having an incredible life, the life God planned for you all along. Look in the mirror. If you don't know that person staring back at you, please talk to your parents. Talk to a teacher you trust. Talk to a leader at church. Look in the mirror, and ask Jesus to meet you there.

Dear God, I lift up teenagers to you today. Life happens so fast. Help these kids realize that they don't run the race alone. They run it with you. Help them know they are special. Please give strength to Christian teens. Help them remember it's you they live for. Not the world's approval. Help their parents, too. Help them know how to connect with their kids, to love them, comfort them, guide them and teach them. God, help us all to remember that it's all about You. Not the size of the house, the make of the car, the label in the shirt. In your precious Son's name I pray. Amen