When I was in grade eight I had a good group of friends that I enjoyed. In grade nine I continued to hang out with this group but enjoyed it less and less. It wasn’t just that they were into heavy drinking. And it wasn’t just that they were into smoking and swearing. And it wasn’t just that they were into treating girls like objects. More than anything, I just didn’t like who they were becoming. Something had happened to them and it was weird. They didn’t seem like the same guys I used to have fun with back in grade seven and eight. I remember feeling sad about what was happening to them and thinking I would never become like them. But, as high school moved along, I did become a little more like them. But it wasn’t just us.

From the beginning of grade nine to the end of high school, most of the guys around me made a change for the worse. But why? Why did we all get caught up in being "cool" and living for the moment? Why did we think God and pure living were old-fashioned, useless ideas? Why did we care more about fitting in than becoming the person God intended us to be?

What about you and your friends? Are people different now than when they started high school?

If they’ve changed, do you have any idea what caused it?

And what about you? Are you becoming more like the "typical" teenager or more like Jesus? Are you becoming more like the person you "could be" in God or more like the people around you?

Don’t become like everyone else. Instead, let God totally change how you think.
(Romans 12:2)

...The power of God has given us everything we need to live like Jesus through our relationship with Him who called us out of His greatness and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may become like Christ and escape this messed up world... (2 Peter 1:3-4)

LORD, I feel that pressure to become more like everyone else. I want to fit in and sometimes I’ll do anything to impress people. But what does it gain me? How can I turn away from You when You love me a million times more than anyone and You alone can meet my deepest needs. I don’t want to be changed by the world. I want to be changed by You. So I pray Your power fills me up so much that I can stand against all of the pressures around me. And more than that, I ask for Your power to work through me so that I can change the world. With every decision I make and every person I talk to and every thing I do, I want Your Kingdom to grow. I trust this prayer to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Lance Wright is from Hamilton, Ontario.)