Why Johnny doesn’t believe?

As he rose to meet the day his thoughts were on his dad. Would he get to see him this week-end or would he not show up again? Why? His question of family is always why… followed by emptiness. He hardly sees his mother; she left for work before he awoke. Everyday he rises to an empty house and returns to one.

What is his example of commitment?
What’s his example of relationship?
What’s his example of love?

On the bus to school he hears more horror stories of friends whose mothers have men over and smack them around. His best friend has a bruise from last night. While others tell of drunken dads that are not there for them and are always angry, much like his own; which is worse, who is worse off he thinks, him or them. He already wonders why anyone would marry… “I’ll never marry” The older kids all talk about getting high like it’s the only thing to do. Someone committed suicide last week… is he better off dead he wonders. The few friends that talk of good parents can’t be believed… they must be lying… they do everything he does… believing the same things and listening to the same music.

What example of other family life does he have?

At school when some one brings up God, teachers get all upset and remind them that this is not a place to speak about religion. Talk about it at home they say. Why? They talk about God at church… it doesn’t change anything, what’s the fuss? There is not only no prayer in school but it’s frowned upon; he often wonders is it bad to pray?  Is that why no one prays? Witches are OK, monsters are OK, abortion is OK and war seems to be OK, we’ve had so many of them. Be kind to the Earth, don’t kill dolphins, don’t kill seals, none of this really makes sense here in the city; who ever sees them or has contact with them? It’s dumb. World peace, politics, and their vacations; teachers seem to care more about all these issues than us, he thinks to himself. Do they even like what they do, I know they like their vacations as much as I do.

So what example of caring and for who or what is he getting here at school?

Sports, appears to be one of the more powerful attractions to him. The fights between parents at his little league baseball; football and soccer ruin everything but attest to the survival of the fittest. I think kids learn that to have parents that fight for you, gets those big salaries. Parents are always fighting but this seems to be where the kid gets something for it. He often wonders if his dad yelled at him and pushed him around to be a better sports competitor would he make it to the big leagues and then would he like it?  Would the money count for something? He already knows you need a parent pushing you to make it to the big leagues, right now he don’t have a chance.

Music now that’s a place he shines. Even with no money he has a collection that’s the envy of most of his friends. Download, copy, burn, there is just no way this could be stealing, everyone does it. DVD almost says it all.

Drowning out everything is easy. He’s learned to put an ear plug in and wear it on the bus, in school, at home, in church and he could even listen to music and watch TV...
His day is completed by listening to music and surfing the net into the night. Mom’s either tired or on a date…

What example of social life does he have?
What example of values?

Yes, he goes to church, every Sunday with his mom. His general impression is they talk about all that God does and can do but they seem to care more about money. Pass the basket; money for this, money for that, and everybody gives? Mom made him give his savings to the building fund. Everyone made such a fuss over him for doing it, but now he has no bike and he’s not going to save again and have it taken for a building he could care less about. And he can never forgive the Pastor for telling his mom to divorce his dad, now he doesn’t see either of them. Church leaves him with another why… followed by replenishing his emptiness.

Is this a safe haven?
Is this a place to be loved... or a place where they measure your love only by what you give?
Is this an example of Jesus?
Whose needs are met here?
Are his needs attended to or even noticed?
What example of church does he have?

Examples are before him everywhere but nothing fills the emptiness, his seeking answers brings only emptiness, except his music which sustains him with the rage he feels. He relates to the singers because he knows they are hurting like him and they get to sing about it and he gets to listen… that’s all he has.

What is his example of seeking; more emptiness?
Will he soon tire of seeking or just stop out of pain and frustration?
Can you then get answers if you don’t seek them?

Now gently add to this mix… 9/11, impending war, and next week he’ll find out he has a brother he never knew about…

The shell of indifference is walling him in and that is the most honest example he has…
This is just the surface of a vacuum of one life.
Do you want to hand him a tract when he gets older?

Oh yes, he is a prime candidate for salvation… he is impoverished of spirit and without hope but words alone will not penetrate, even now he is dulled of hearing, he needs a living example of Jesus… Jesus alive… to see and be touched by… Jesus who loves him and can reach his heart…
Where are you?
Where is your heart?
Are you Johnny?
Are you an observer?
Are you too busy?
What example are you giving?
Where is the body of Christ?

If you’re a follower of Jesus; don’t start to agree with any of this and look for fault in the church without first realizing you are the church… so, what are you doing?
Are you missing it?
Or are you just missing?

This is what is missing... and why Johnny doesn’t believe!

Jesus Christ’s Community at Hebron

 www.jesuschrists.com