Full Version of Melissa Ramer's TeenTalk Guest Column for May 2016

Readers – As the column is named “Teen Talk,” it seems only appropriate to occasionally feature teen writers from CMC congregations. If you’d like to guest-write a column, or know a teen you’d like to recommend, email me at hshenk@rosedale.edu

I stood in the Rosedale chapel, a thirteen-year-old, watching as campers and counselors raised their hands in worship. All week I had seen these same people bursting with passionate 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. 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 omnipotent God of the Universe to help Him change the world? When He was on earth, Jesus introduced a radical lifestyle that has changed the lives of millions. If “Christian” means “little Christ” aren’t we called to the same thing? I’m not daring you to be a World Savior, but I think God wants every sinful human who puts 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. 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 join in. 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. Every generation has the potential to change the world. Why not ours? 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 teenager who dares to accept the calling of Jesus. I know it 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 unrealistic and illogical.” But this is what I say to you, 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 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, 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, 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.

A high school senior from Bealeton, Virginia, Melissa Ramer’s greatest passions are music and people. Also a runner, logophile and writer, Melissa writes for a growing audience through her personal blog. Melissa’s desire is to live radically with joie de vivre for the glory of her Savior.