New Domain

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Waiting

I'm waiting down here

For the moon to melt

For the rain to pelt

Me

Into a puddle of nonexistence

I'm waiting down here

For a billion whiles

Where should my smile

Be?

Maybe pasted on my bleary face

I'm waiting down here

For the sun to explode

For the earth to implode

See?

It's chaos and confusion on the globe

I'm waiting down here

For the clouds to drift

For Gravity to lift

Me

Farther away from the burning sun

I'm waiting down here

For the end of ends

For my mind to bend

See?

Nothing will come but I'm still waiting

Can We Really Change the World?

Last month, I was privileged to be a guest writer for the Teen Talk column in The Brotherhood Beacon. The topic I wrote on is one that has been very heavy on my heart in the past year. My prayer is that it will reach a large amount of people and help propel my generation toward a deeper way of living. So without further ado, here is the final draft of said article:

"I stood in the Rosedale chapel, a thirteen-year-old, watching as campers and counselors alike raised their hands in worship. All week I had seen these same people bursting with a passionate, reckless love for Jesus. And I wanted it. I wanted their passion and I wanted to be a part of what they were so excited about.

If you’re anything like me, you play by the rules. You go to the right church, wear the right clothes, say the right things, and live the common, Christian life. But if you’re like me, you’ve always felt that Christianity as you know it isn’t enough. Honestly, Christianity scares me sometimes. Yes, it does. I’m afraid to be different and share my faith. I’m afraid to be involved in a lifestyle that calls me to sacrifice everything for the One who has an incredible purpose for me—a purpose I’m constantly fulfilling. But, wait, doesn’t that sound exciting?

What if instead of seeing Christianity as a safe ticket to Heaven, we saw it as a call from the All-Powerful, Omnipotent God of the Universe to help Him change the world? When He was on earth, Jesus introduced a radical lifestyle, in the process forever changing life for millions. If “Christian” means “little Christ” aren’t we called to the same thing? I’m not daring you to be the next World Savior, but I think God wants every sinful human who dares to put his or her trust in Jesus to see life as a chance to join Him in the biggest, most important mission of all time: showing the world that in Jesus there’s still hope for humanity. And believe me, He could do it without us, but He made a conscious decision to involve you and me in His work. I don’t know about you, but I want to be involved in that. And not just skin deep. I want to be fully engaged and recklessly wholehearted when it comes to this mission.

I know you’ve probably heard this before, but it can’t be overstated. I want to beg you, as a young adult, to rethink Christianity. I think every generation has the potential to change the world. Why can’t that be our generation? Psalm 24:6a says, “This is the generation who seeks the Lord.” Let’s claim that for our generation. Let’s claim it for ourselves and for every millennial who dares to accept the radical calling of Jesus. I know that won’t bring instant change. But I want to claim that verse every day. I want to throw away mediocre Christianity every day. And I have to fight myself every day to remember that it’s my responsibility to show this world hope.

I can’t change the world if I’m using my parents’ faith as a “Get into Heaven Free” card. I can’t change the world if I’m waiting for someone else to bring relief to my community. And I can’t change the world if I’m waiting for others to be Jesus to those on my college campus. It’s up to me and you to initiate change. Maybe you’re reading this and saying, “Sure, Melissa, it sounds great, but it’s completely unrealistic and illogical.” But this is what I say to you and to every Evangelical millennial today: the message of Christ is illogical. And God isn’t bound by the limits of "realistic." Creating a child inside the womb of a virgin is a bit unrealistic if you ask me. And check this out: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20) That’s a game changer, my friends. Our Incredible, Invincible God is asking you to exercise reckless faith and show the world what hope really is. And that is beautiful.

I want the passion I experienced in the RBC chapel four years ago to become my lifestyle. I want my whole life to be about the mission my counselors found so exciting. I’m ready to throw mediocre, comfortable, box-checking Christianity out the window and make sure it can’t survive the fall. I’m ready to say, “Yes, Jesus, yes,” all day, every day, for the rest of my life, no matter the cost. I’m afraid and insecure and too weak to do this. But our Savior is strong enough to lead a whole generation on this mission. And I believe that generation is our generation—a generation that includes you."