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.