THE MESSAGE
On Sunday I began the message by reading Deuteronomy 30:11-20. I explained that the Israelites were at a crossroad. They had the choice of choosing the road to death or the road to life. Moses was the police officer at the traffic light saying, “Slow down! The next road you take will be either the road to life of the road to death. Go right for the road to life. Go left for the road to death. I’ll even give you a hint on which road to take. Choose life!” This seems like a very simple, common sense decision doesn’t it? But for the Israelites it wasn’t. Why?
You too are faced with a choice, a crossroad that you must decide which road to take. This crossroad presents you with the option to choose the road of loneliness or the road of life. Jesus is at the intersection saying, “Choose life. Don’t go down the road to loneliness!” This also appears to be a very simple, common sense decision but it is not. Just like the crossroad the Israelites faced there is something “seemingly” appealing about the road to loneliness.
I then asked the question, “Why is this choice so hard? Who has ever been lost and had to make a choice on which road to take?” Of course everyone raised their hands laughing. I then told everyone my story about Pastor Eric, Aaron and me getting lost in the Appalachian Mountains this summer. We ended up hiking 60 miles in 30hrs and for 13 of the 30hrs we had no water thinking we might actually become part of the Appalachian Trail forever (to see details of story read the blog “Hiking through Life without Direction”).
Like the Israelites my brothers and I also faced a crossroad: H20 (life) or Pride (death). In hindsight this seems like an easy choice BUT revealing certain factors shows that it is not. It looked appealing to be able to say we could hike so far in so little time. It fed our pride. Secondly, we could not see the end consequences of our choice.
So what’s so appealing about the road to loneliness? :
1. It is all about “Me.” You receive 100% of the attention you can give. You get to do what you want to do with no one to stop you. “Wow!” You get all the self-sympathy you want: “No one loves me.”
2. Zero self-sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you don’t have to! For example, “Ryan (to Ryan-same person. One cell phone in right hand, one in left) do you want to hang out? Go to church and see a movie?” “No, but I’ll go to a movie.” “Okay! Sweet! When will you be ready?” “About 30 mins.” “Awesome! I think that is about how long it should take me to get ready. I just have to finish my calculus homework.” “No way! You’re doing calculus homework too? What number are you on?” “12” “You’re kidding same with me.” “Man you’re a great guy.” “I know. Same with you.” “Even if it’s only me and you we will have a great time…”
3. Basically it’s easy! (it appears)
Now, why is the road to life/relationships seem unappealing?
1. It is hard (because of pride and selfishness).
2. All about “We.” The farther along you travel this road the less and less it is about “me” and the more and more it is about “we.” You must sacrifice and your attention to others. You have to do what others want to do. No more self-sympathy.
3. 100% self sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you will probably still have to do it. No more “Bipolar Man.”
How do you get to the final destination? To reach the end of the road of loneliness pride and selfishness will take you there. Selfishness is all about “me” which destroys love. When there is an absence of love there is an absence of God because God is love. To reach the end of the road of life/connectedness you must have humility and love.
Now that you have reached the end what does each look like? The end of the road of loneliness consists of an absence of God and healthy, life-giving relationships. God created a hole inside of your soul that only He can fill and when we try to fill it with anything else besides Him we are left even more empty and confused. At the end of the road of life and connectedness there is God’s Presence (love) and life giving relationships.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
First, constantly emphasize that the most important thing in your child’s life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. My mom and dad constantly asked if I was reading my Bible and how my devotional times were going at this age and still do. A good thing to ask yourself is, “How often do we as a family actually talk about Jesus, about the Bible and about what God is doing with our friends.” Secondly, encourage your child to pursue Godly friendships. Don’t let them get caught up into the Computer/video game syndrome of isolation (I’m not against computers but you must be careful. I talk to students your children’s age who are struggling with pornography because their parents allowed them to have a computer in their room. Please don’t loose this battle. You can stop it!). Also, monitor who your child hangs out with. Neighborhood and school friends know a lot more about sin than most of us could imagine. Therefore, connect with other families in the church that have radical standards like you. It’s worth it!
Thank You,
Ryan Austin
Element Middle School Leader
