“Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered up and completely buried.” (Romans 4:7 The Amplified Bible)
Have you ever noticed the high school students waiting for the bus stop on a day when the temperatures are freezing or below? I’m astonished at what I see! There are teens with sweatshirts, pants that look like pajama pants, sandals, tennis shoes and no socks, and rarely a hat. I suppose they don’t want to lug a heavy coat, along with their heavy book bags, and cellphone. But I could be wrong. Maybe lockers are much smaller than when I went to high school. Yet, regardless of the reason, they are not covered the best that they could have been. Here’s another observation at the bus stop, the parents who drop them off to wait for the long, yellow bus, apparently are not concerned with the children not being covered.
This takes me to the “bus stop revelation” that I really want to communicate. Many who belong to today’s teen generation are allowed to go uncovered spiritually. Parents let them make a choice to sleep in on Sundays, stay away from biblical instruction found at the church, and submit to the ways of the world modeled by other children, peers who do not know the Lord. Consequently, just as they are not covered adequately on the bus stops, as evident by their attire, most of them are not covered by the blood of Jesus, as evident by their behavior.
At the bus stop, the consequence for not being covered is becoming sick. From a spiritual perspective, not being covered by the blood of Jesus results in a sickness that leads to death, eternal death.
What can we do? First set an example for your children and your children’s children. Second, bring them to church where they will be exposed to the truth that can lead to them being covered. Finally, and this goes for all of us, make the children feel welcomed. Follow the words of Jesus found in our closing verse. Now, get to church! Take a young person with you! Be blessed!
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ (Matthew 19:14 NIV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King