rebelling against low expectations
Every day, we are faced with innumerable opinions from others. Whether it be through television, music, or literature, we are exposed to what people think. Like it or not, we live in the age of media. As Christians, how are we supposed to react to all this noise in the world? I think that in order to know how to respond to different kinds of media, we should first define what media is. What is...
Sometimes, we think we know everything. As Christian teenagers, we are called to – and, by God’s grace, capable of – so much more than what our culture expects of us. Whether it’s “big” things or “little” things, we’re striving to do our best and to glorify God. But when you’re actively fighting those expectations, it’s easy to make them your benchmark – if we...
I know the feeling. It’s the feeling of utter defeat before you have stepped out of bed. You feel so weighed down by life’s problems that you don’t think you can sit up. All you want to do is hide under the covers, and ignore the elephant in the room. You’re sinking fast, and you don’t know if you have the strength to swim to the safety of shore. The day looks bleak, and the road...
Last December my family and I visited a living nativity. There were camels, authentic costumes, Roman guards on horses, and a first-century marketplace swarming with children calling out their wares. As we waited for our tour, we hid from the biting wind in a warm building with popcorn and hot apple cider. The organizers checked our names off a list and handed us information cards to fill out...
A Want to be Independent and Free Humans have had a condition since the fall, and it’s their want to be independent. Now don’t get me wrong, there are good things about being independent, but in the sense that I am bringing the topic up, it’s not good. When I say since the fall I literally mean since the fall, and the want to be independent has caused people to do some bad...
Dear Younger Sister, You know, it’s hard being a big sister sometimes. I always feel like I have to act perfect, look perfect, be perfect in order for you to appreciate who I am. And yet, when I think these thoughts, I need to remind myself that I am human – and so are you. Sister, please don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made. I’m here to guide you through them, but...
Bad Choices = Good Stories I saw these words in an image as I was scrolling through posts online the other day, and it really reminded me of my generation and peer group. The constant desire to fit in and be reckless makes many bad decisions quite attractive. The pressure to conform makes it difficult to stay grounded when everyone around you is telling you that you’re missing out on so much...
Some days, the weight of what the future might holds seems crushing. How will life turn out? Will seemingly broken pieces ever be put together again? For weeks, the news has broadcasted live footage of babies suffering from chemical gas. Dying. This unthinkable atrocity is enough to make you shudder. Conflicts are raging around the globe. Terrorist attacks. Shootings. Bombs. Cold brutality. How...
During the lifetime of Martin Luther (1483-1546) there was a saying: “In the midst of life we die.” Many people did not live long in those days — life expectancy was around the mid-thirties. Many children died in infancy or at birth. Life was bleak. From a spiritual perspective, it didn’t look much better. The corrupt Roman Catholic church was in charge. The Bible was not taught in the local...
Note: the following scenario occurred solely in the author’s imagination; any resemblance to actual persons or events is (mostly) coincidental. “Hello,” I greet the circle of faces attending the self-addiction support group. “My name is Patricia and I’m addicted to — myself.” “Hi, Patricia.” “I didn’t think I’d become an addiction, until I realized how much time and energy I pour into trying to...
rebelling against low expectations
