An excerpt from Price’s Chapel Service with Pastor DeAndre Burns
Answers, in this day and age everybody’s looking for them. Why was I born? Why do I look the way I do, act the way I do? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life really? As a Youth Pastor I run into teens that have so many questions and not enough answers. What I say often goes through one ear and out the other. But, in order to get answers you have to be connected to the creator of all things and that is God.
Now you might feel that it is easier said than done, but let’s take a look at your life. You have a family and also friends that you are close to right? Well, how did you become so close? I’m sure that there was a time when you were a newborn coming home for your first days in the world. How did you know who your mother or father was? Over time as a baby I’m sure you came to realize that the person always holding you and caring for you was your “Momma.” As time went on you notice that the man holding you had to be your “Pops.” Or overtime you realized that you did not have a dad, unlike some of your friends in the neighborhood.
When we look at best friend (or even boyfriend/girlfriend) relationships, we see that it first starts with the introduction. After that, you make the decision of if the person is compatible to you. By taking the next step and getting to know the individual more, you can come to notice that you share similar views. Upon further discussion you find that you share the same interests in hobbies and music. Most of us connect with our friends on many different levels, because we took the time to really get to know our friends inside and out. In regards to girlfriends and boyfriends, connection is the key to building a strong relationship. If there is no connection or no conversation, over time the relationship will fail.
So, if we apply all the above areas to our relationship with God, we start by being introduced to Him. We are introduced to Him either through a family member or friend who we pray privately with, or by coming to church and receiving Christ as savior and Lord through the Pastor. After we receive Him, we are to make a clear cut decision to pursue a relationship with Him (2 Timothy 2:22). We must understand that in order to move forward we must change and be committed (2 Corinthians 5:17). While in the relationship we are to get to know God, and how do we do that? By reading His Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 says:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (NIV)
Finally, we are to keep the connection by communication (prayer) with Him.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
“Even taking your relationship to another level and receiving the Holy Spirit and praying in the Spirit is important in your connection with the Father.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)
In times like these, we face so much because of the enemy, but with God we have the answers. The question is: are we connected to Jesus or are we connected to the world? I will let you answer that one.
Pastor DeAndre Burns is the youth pastor of on10 Student Ministries at Crenshaw Christian Center, and lead chaplain for Price Schools. Since arriving at CCC in the early 1990's, Pastor DeAndre' has been involved in a number of campus ministries; from being a part of the "79 Click" (CCC Christian rap group), to working in the Bookstore for 5 years, to leading in the Youth Department. You can find him on Thursdays conducting Price chapel services and during the week ministering at youth events and Bible studies. For more information about Pastor DeAndre', and the CCC Youth Department, please visit http://www.blueprintremix.net/ .