Live Greater The Best Night of Your Life….

Apr 28, 2008

May the Lord give you His Peace!

I had a great conversation with a dear friend of mine today who was reflecting on her high school prom experience. I was delighted and it brought me great joy to hear her reflect upon the experience and how she made a series of choices that evening that were of Christ and for the true good. Her choices reflect her grace filled heart and her authentic faith that she relies so much upon. After listening to her and being a part of that conversation, my heart was overwhelmed with questions and thoughts about the reality of where young people are at today. And since it is prom season, I figured a short reflection wouldn’t hurt. To the young lady, you know who you are…Thanks for inspiring me and being an example to so many young people who are screaming for more to life then what we might find at a prom dance or after for that matter. Praise God for your life and so many of the others who are faithful to Jesus, looking to Him for your hope, purpose, and very life.

I remember my prom. For a week straight (maybe longer) it is complete chaos looking for tuxes and dresses, buying tickets, deciding who you are sitting by at dinner, and planning the night out perfectly. Not to mention, who the big date is going to be. In high school, everything revolves around popularity, sports, and dances, seeing that prom fits in somewhere near the top of the list. And unfortunately, everyone is defined by who they go with or don’t go with for that matter, and the drama that surrounds the whole experience. I am convinced that the whole prom experience leaves people broken hearted, unfulfilled, and desiring something more. Why? I thought you’d never ask.

It is a no brainier that the desire of every human heart is to be happy. The small issue with this concept is that in our culture today everyone wants to be happy RIGHT NOW. We call is short term gratification (good word huh?).  Well if we want to be completely happy or fulfilled in the present moment, we plan our lives and choose experiences that will immediately bring us the gratification we desire. The danger here is that fact that with our culture’s idea of what is good and attractive all immediately gratifying ourselves does is bring about ways to use people and things for our own pleasure. (There is not need for me to elaborate, you know what I am talking about). Not exactly what the Lord had in mind when he created us to be happy.

Prom is the ‘night of nights’ when it comes to immediate gratification. The dress that is worn once, the limo that helps you to show up in style, the expensive dinner, the dancing that goes beyond what ‘Father Line Dance’ says is appropriate, and the after party. All these things lead to a desire for fulfillment and happiness in the nearest moment. How did it go for ya?

To be clear, I am not a fun-hater. I happen to love dances, and having a great time with the people I love. This conversation is not just about prom night but about the very context of how we young people live our lives today. My friends, living for instant gratification will lead us to make choices that don’t allow us to be our best selves. Getting caught up in the moment leads to sin, selfishness, and a whole spiral of issues and experiences that hurt ourselves and others. Unfortunately, most people get caught up in the romance of the night and excitement of the experience and live as it was meant to be the best night of their lives.

I got news for you. With the Lord, the times where we can experience our true and greatest selves are not limited to one night or one experience. If we choose Him on prom night and every other moment in our lives, every day will be greater then the last, leading to a place where all our desires, hopes, and dreams will be fulfilled beyond anything we could ever imagine. Choose Him today…

Thanks again to the friend who inspires us all to love and follow Jesus.

God Bless You,

Rusty

Question of the Week: Are you living for happiness in the moment or for a happiness that lasts?

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