Kimberly Clarke, Contributor
What is it today that make our young people believe that it is a sin to be different -- That it's right to speak what they believe, and to wear what it is that they feel comfortable wearing?
What makes our speech change? When we no longer spend time working on what we say, or even thinking before we utter the words out of our mouths.
It appears as if we are losing something great about ourselves, something that can only be found deep within us -- our self-respect.
There is totally no regard for authority figures, we no longer respect our elders, and this is all because we do not respect ourselves.
There are reasons to believe that having that one factor in our lives can change the way we view others and ourselves, and ultimately change the way we live, it would be as if the entire world has done a complete 360 degree turn. This attainment of self-respect, however, cannot be obtained by simple means. There are certain sacrifices that must be made, the lifestyle that we now lead will have to be changed, the friends we now keep will have to be checked, and if they are found lacking, changes will have to be made.
I have a question of grave importance that I have to ask. Why is it that young people are so afraid of hearing the Lord's name mentioned? The word Jesus has been turned into some sort of a taboo, a stigma even. Mention it while you are around your friends, and it is a sure way to get yourself omitted from the ensuing conversation and, if not that, it definitely puts a damper on the entire mood of the crowd. Why is that? Isn't the love of God something good, something to look forward to, and listen to with joy? Or is it just that we are so used to the frivolous conversations that we partake of daily, so deeply taken in by the mediocrity of society that even a little change from the norm is too big a thing to handle? Is it that my fellow youths? Or are we simply just afraid, afraid of what it all means to love the Lord and accept that he loves us back, afraid of what it means or will ultimately mean if we accept him or not.
Well, whatever the reason, it shouldn't be this way because Jesus is loving and forgiving and it is a joy to speak of him when 'two or more are gathered', because it keeps our thoughts heavenly and our mind enlightened. And that is the way it should be, right? Isn't it?
