What God Sees On Facebook During Prom Season
Medical science has not yet figured out how to transplant the brain of a 40-year old, into that of a teenager. But it sure would make helping young people navigate through those teen years much easier. Imagine if you could combine the zeal of a young person with the wisdom of someone who has experienced life for 4-5 decades!
The concept of prom could benefit from the wisdom of Godly minds.
Now that prom season is over for most schools I wanted to take a minute and share a few thoughts. This is not a “bashing” post, written to judge or condemn those who have participated in this annual ritual. This is not meant to be hateful or mean-spirited, and was not written because of any certain person. Rather, it is a perspective that I hope will cause young and old alike to think. It is my hope that after reading this you will be encouraged to be holy like God is holy.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-after all, it is what everyone else was doing.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because older members in the church complimented prom pictures.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because, quite frankly, I wasn’t striving to be more holy.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because I assumed lust was just a part of growing up.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because I wasn’t concerned with immodesty.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because drinking alcohol was not viewed as reckless as other drugs.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because I was not thinking about things through the eyes of my future spouse.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because I was primarily living for myself.
When I was young I didn’t see a problem with the prom…
-because I didn’t fear God.
Now that I’m older I spend a lot of time evaluating how I can be more holy, and as a result, I look at things differently. I’m not saying that with age I have reached a status where I feel I “know more” than others. Just the opposite in fact—with my added years I have come to realize just how little I do know. Instead, the added years have helped realign my priorities better and have helped me take some bold steps in my Christian walk. I no longer place myself first. Instead, I’m constantly striving to be more Christ-like. As a result, my views have changed—somewhat dramatically. Here are some thoughts of what I see today when I see those prom pictures on Facebook.
I see parents who may not realize there is a culture war going on, and that their child’s soul is at stake.
I see parents who don’t believe worldliness is a problem in their home.
I see parents who are teaching their children a poor lesson about pleasure on earth.
I see parents who have not shared with their children the costs of following Christ.
I see parents who are willing to gamble on the purity of their children for a night of fun.
I see parents who are willing to purchase immodest dresses and justify it, because after all, it is the prom.
I see parents who give no thought to the fact that this prom date is not their child’s husband or wife—and yet, the parents are promoting a relationship outside of marriage.
I see young people who have conformed rather than be transformed.
I see young people who fear not attending prom more than they fear the Lord.
I see young people who attend youth rallies and devotionals, but then don’t walk the walk.
I see young people who are weak spiritually.
I see young people who desire to be in a lascivious environment.
I see young people who have no problem twerking or grinding on Saturday night, and then taking the Lord’s supper Sunday morning.
I see young people who will one day wish they had not gone so far with their date.
I see young people who will one day wish they could erase pictures from the internet.
I see grandparents and older Christians who reinforce this behavior by “liking” or posting positive comments under pictures.
I see grandparents and older Christians who believe this is a right of passage—after all, they did it.
I see grandparents and older Christians who see an immodestly dressed young lady and still make positive comments about her dress.
I see grandparents and older Christians who are comfortable with their young people having worldly values.
And lastly, I see young people who probably do not possess the same values that we are trying to instill in our children—and therefore are not suitable candidates for marriage. And that makes me sad. That’s probably the biggest thing I see—sadness. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes pictures say more than that…