mepastormike

Over the past couple of days I've taught a class on relationships and sexual abstinence at one of the local high schools. This was one of the most peculiar class of students I've ever been around... they have been extremely quiet (even talking about sex!). The teacher warned us (myself and the lady I'm presenting with) that this class is like this, but we had no idea. It could be that it is the first class of the day and they are still half asleep. Today however, we did get more of a reaction and participation out of them.

There was one young girl, however, in the class that was talking very loud with her body language. Something that was being said was striking a cord with her, and I could tell she was really trying to show non-interest in what was being shared. Once I noticed this I was intentional to make eye contact whenever I looked her way (as I try to do with all the kids as I pan across the room). In my heart and mind I began to feel compassion for this young lady as I wondered about what she may have been through, or going through in her life. I began to pray in my heart for this young person to allow the information presented to be planted in her life.

Through out the presentation we use illustrations that call for volunteers. I was encouraged by the teacher after the class as he shared about the last volunteer we used and the shock that this person would even participate like they did. Perhaps something is being communicated even though we hadn't see reactions like we wanted.

I'm reminded about last Sunday's sermon of how little things make a big difference. My reading today took me to Galatians chapter 5, and spoke to me in this similar way. It seems that the people in the church were looking for ways to demonstrate for others their full devotion to God; or to prove that their way of following God was the better way. At the end of verse 6 Paul states, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." As I consider this just a little further... does the love I express (or the lack thereof) serve to gauge the genuineness of my faith? Hum...