When Someone "Goes into the world"...

My DS 2 shared a story with us last night that simply blew me away. Then, this morning, my DH was telling the Pastor about it and he asked DS 2 to share it in church this morning. So, totally impromptu, DS 2 shared the following:

He is part of a local teen theater that goes into the schools sharing some very tough messages with kids. Last year's play was about AIDS. This year's is about the horrors of drug addiction. DH and I went to see it a couple of weeks ago and it is quite an emotional presentation. They pull no punches as they portray what many of their peers have experienced with the out-of-control spiral that often accompanies drug use.

Thursday they were in a local high school and presented their play to the Freshman class there. Six hundred kids. Of course there are almost always the kids in the audience who are looking for a laugh and were making fun of the group's message. DS 2 said they were not the best audience. At the end of each performance they conduct "talk back" time where audience members can give feedback and ask questions of the cast members.

When talk-back began there was a "heckler" in the back who said, "Yeah, there's nothing to do in this town. That's WHY we need to do drugs!" Of course that was followed up by snickers and laughter. DS 2 said he noticed a girl up front who seemed to want to say something. Finally, one of the cast members asked her if she had something she'd like to say.

This 14yo girl stood up and faced the boy in the back. She said, "I know addiction is hard. I know people who have fought and won. And I know people who struggle. But, I also know someone who can help anyone who is struggling with it. He is always there for you and He cares for you..." DS 2 said at this point, he was thinking, "Yeah, I know who she's talking about!" DS 2 said that the entire room stopped still while she spoke.

The girl continued, "He loves each and every one of you. His name is Jesus and He died on a cross because He loves us so much." When she finished, the entire room of freshman gave her a standing ovation. And suddenly she was surrounded by people who were hugging her and encouraging her for her words. In the words of DS 2: "It blew me away!"

As my DS 2 shared this in church, I was thinking..."Would I have done the same thing?" And I can honestly say, "I don't know." I think she took a bold step. She was unafraid and most importantly unashamed to stand up and speak her heart to others. And even more specifically, her peers...the people with whom she interacts each and every day. It was risky and vulnerable at best.

In my opinion, sometimes that group is the one with whom it's the most difficult to share. They are the people who see our everyday attitude and actions (warts and all) and can sometimes cause us to "clam up" about our faith. Let me be real for a minute:

This week I've been thinking about this very thing. Next Sunday we are going to "reverse trick-or-treat" here in my neighborhood. I have to say it'd be easier to be in "somebody else's backyard". I even thought about suggesting we change the location.

You see if anyone thinks it's "odd" or "strange" or "wrong"...I don't have to see them again when it's not my own neighbors. But because it WILL BE our neighbors, then we are becoming vulnerable. Now, I can't imagine who wouldn't take a free bag of candy with "no strings attached"...and it's not like we're planning to present the gospel on the doorstep. Nope. It's simply an act of kindness with a note that says so.

It requires nothing but a willing heart and a smile. And I believe that, though it's not quite as bold as this 14yo was. It still may, like she did in the midst of her peers, even "blow someone away." I hope so.