The sound of enthusiastic chatter filled the air as I walked into the Blessed Hope Christian Church for the Back to School Evangelistic Youth event. I spotted my close friend, Lea, sitting towards the front of the room and made my way to join her. As I took my seat, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sea of high school and college students, youth leaders, and volunteers gathered to hear Pastor Marco Antonio.
Pastor Marco greeted us with a warm smile and opened his preaching with, "Good evening everyone and welcome to this Back to School Evangelistic Youth event. It is great to see so many of you here today, ready to stand up in faith."
As he spoke, I felt a deep sense of conviction wash over me. I couldn't help but think of all the times I'd failed to stand up for my faith and all the opportunities I'd missed to share the love of God with others.
"In this world that we live in today, it is not easy to hold on to our beliefs and principles, especially when we are faced with challenges and opposition.
But I want to encourage you, that as Christians, we are called to be a light in this world, and to let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven."
Inner Dialogue:
"Why did I shy away from telling my classmates about Jesus? Why did I let my fear of rejection hold me back? I should have been bolder, braver. I could have made a real difference in their lives."
Pastor Marco: "We are not called to live a life of comfort and convenience, but a life that is full of purpose, meaning, and significance. A life that makes a difference in this world.
So, my dear friends, I challenge you tonight, to be bold and courageous in your faith. To stand up for what is right and to not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
Pastor Marco continued to preach and pose probing questions to the crowd, offering his microphone to some of the youths to speak up and share their experiences.
Two or three youths stepped up to share how they've stood up for their faith in their own lives. They talked about how they'd overcome their fears and doubts and shared their testimonies with bravery and passion.
Inner Dialogue:
"They are so brave. They're not afraid to share their faith and make a stand for what they believe in. Why can't I be more like them?"
Pastor Marco: "It may not be easy, but I assure you, it is worth it. Because in the end, we will not only impact the lives of those around us, but we will also experience the fullness of life that God has for us."
As the preaching went on, I could feel Lea's gaze on me. I tried to ignore her, pretending that everything was fine, but she wasn't so easily fooled.
Lea: "Hey, Jonah, are you okay? You look a bit distracted."
Me: "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit overwhelmed, that's all."
Lea: "Are you sure? I feel like there's something on your mind. You know you can talk to me, right?"
Me: "I appreciate your concern, Lea, but really, I'm okay."
But despite my assurances, Lea persisted in trying to get to the bottom of what was bothering me. Eventually, she succeeded in getting me to open up and share my feelings with her.
Lea: "Jonah, I care about you and I know something's bothering you. Please, talk to me."
Me: "Okay, fine. I just feel like I'm not doing enough. Like I'm not an effective Christian. I should be doing more, standing up more for my faith."
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Breaking Barriers: Jonah Finds His Voice
Spiritual"Breaking Barriers: Jonah Finds His Voice" is a story about a young man named Jonah who is struggling with his faith, family, and personal identity. Growing up, Jonah faced bullying and ridicule from his peers because of his beliefs. This made him q...
