Cardboard Cut-Out

Whenever i go into the mall, i see these stores that sell cardbaord cut-outs of famous people, like Darth Vader, Lebron James, Frodo, Hannah Montana, etc. They are so life-like. Livi has one such Hannah Montana one in here room, and almost everytime i walk in there, it freaks the living daylight out of me because it is standing there in the corner staring at me. Do i know that it's fake? Of course i do. But every time it still seems to catch me by surprise. I feel like I need to put a sign on Livi's door that says

"Now watch out Mike, because if you don't, that Hannah Montana cut-out is going to scare you again. It's up to you though, ignore this sign and you can get freaked out again, but whatever."

One time, Crissy even brought it downstairs for Livi to see during the day. Guess what, bad idea. That was a completely new scare factor. I mean, come on. The thing is like over 5 ft. tall and looks pretty real. I guess the truth is; it's not real. It's fake. It's just a shell of the real person. It's like the outside appears to be Hannah, but we all know it's not really her. It's just a copy, a duplicate, a phony, make believe, whatever you wanna call it.

I knew a student who "lived" for Christ. Sing, worship, and give to youth and Speed the Light. I was determined in my heart that it was real. Every time I saw them, i felt a love for their walk with Christ because it seemed so genuine. I thought to myself, "youth ministry is important. Somebody is getting it. All of the students who fall off the earth could never change the way that this students is in tune with Christ." At least, they had me fooled. They would play the church game so well.

Then i came to this crazy reality. When students are young, they are mightily influenced by their parents. If their parents come to church, they do; if their parents don't come, then they don't. Through kids church and most of youth group, those kids are unable to make their own choices because they have no power to get anywhere else except through the help of others. Then comes the day of "driving." You would think that driving privileges would bring students closer to God. I mean they get their own rides. They can go to all of the events now. They can be at church whenever the doors are open. But what truly happens is that they don't. They go wherever they want to. The sad thing is; parents know and don't do anything about it.

You may ask yourself whatever happened to the student who worshiped gave, and attended all the events? I will tell you; it was called playing a game. They think to themselves, "Hey if i have to be at church, i might as well get involved in something while i am here, you know in order to pass the time." Once they have the choice to attend, they decide that the "fake" walk with Christ they had wasn't good enough for them anymore. They needed to try something else. I can see the numbers right now guys. If you look in the youth group, at least 4 students you think will never walk away from Christ, will.

My challenge to you this week is this: if you think you've got it right, double check. If you know you don't got it right, it's about time to start finding out who God really is, because one day you will get to make the choice.

I am praying to day that you make the right one.