You have a Choice . . .

So yesterday was one of those days that go down in the mental log of GREAT DAYS!!! As you know, I am involved with a group of young people at our local school, CYC (Clever Youth for Christ). This organization was borne in the heart of a great friend of mine and teacher at our school. She went to school at our High School back in her day and now teaches there, by totally an act of God. That in itself is an amazing story. Anyway, a year ago last May she called and said that she really felt led of God to start a Christian organization in our school, and she asked me to pray. Well almost immediately God started speaking to my heart and telling me to "Come along side" so that is what I did. I told CC what ever she needed I would do. And then at the beginning of last school season CYC had it's first official meeting.

I cannot express to you the blessing that CYC is to my life. Seeing these students on a weekly basis work through the peer pressure (and it is unreal), the school work (very hard), the extra curricular activities (some of our students do it ALL), and to see them still come into CYC on Fridays wanting to learn about our Jesus and make a difference in their world is truly remarkable.

Well, this year we received a unique honor. Our community passed a bond issue to build a new high school, and it has come to fruition. The students begin classes in the new HS this Thursday and they are SO excited!! Yesterday was the ribbon cutting ceremony and after that our CYC students were asked if they would like to do a prayer walk through the new building, and not just the new building, but they opened up all the school buildings and let anyone that wanted to, could walk through and pray for our schools. Get out ~~ How exciting is that? The only stipulation (as in all CYC activities), it has to be student led. And our students stepped up to the plate. It was absolutely amazing to watch their willingness. And as a parent this was an amazing opportunity to get to go into our schools and pray; what a blessing!!!

As I was just checking on the kids and making sure they didn't need anything, I ran across a lady who goes to my church that I'd never met, (JRA is a REALLY big church), and she asked if I'd pray with her for her little ones and their teachers. What an opportunity!! Her oldest is in the 4th grade this year and her baby starts Kindergarten. I'm telling you GOD IS GOOD!!!! Praying with her and our students was a wonderful experience!!

After the prayer walk in the different buildings, we got back together at the new HS and prayed as a group. This was one of the most moving ministry opportunities I have ever had. To hold hands in a circle with HS students, and pray was truly remarkable. To hear them cry out to God on behalf of their school was truly a HUGE BLESSING to me that I will not forget!!

As I sat down to type this God reminded me of a verse in Joshua 24:15 "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

So why would God bring this verse to mind? Because we have a choice ~~ our young people have a choice. And who they serve is very often influenced by the adults in their lives. Be a role model to the young people in your life. Let them see you serving God. Let them see what a totally sold out to God life looks like. Live it out!! Our young people face such opposition, such peer pressure. One of our CYC students told me yesterday that socially she was really boring because she didn't go to parties or hang out with people who do. This young lady is on fire for the Lord, she went on a missions trip to Peru this summer and in one service over 500 were saved and on their trip over 5,000 were saved. She was so Pumped!! Listen our young people will make a choice, let's help them make choices that change lives for Christ like my young friend did who went to Peru. She is also changing lives right here in her home town.

I want to be a catalyst for real change in our young people's lives.

Use me Lord to be that catalyst. When students walk into CYC may they feel your presence and know that YOU ARE THE GOD WHO LOVES THEM. Help CC and I to come alongside and be what these students need to see in adults, help us Lord to be what you have called us to be. God get all the glory from our lives Father!! May we never get over You!! I love you Jesus, AMEN