Though It May Not Be Easy

Public High School is not an entirely pretty place to be, but I am continually assured that this is where He wants me to be. Here I am, in the middle of His plan, and, quite frankly, there’s not a whole lot I can do about that.

I watch and I listen.

I witness what the world has done to so many. It has taken hold of them, is gripping them in its deadly clutch, not wanting to let go.

I watch as others worship their idols, the things of the world.

They worship their money.

They worship their cell phones.

They worship their iPods.

On the bus, I sit with my best friend, Minority. I listen to the songs that the other students know so well. The lyrics speak of things that are rooted into the hearts of young people. It speaks of things He has told us to stay away from.

It speaks of wanting to be rich.

It speaks of gods with a small “g”.

It speaks of wishing that another person were not alive.

It speaks words that I dare not utter.

I cringe and plug my ears, but their words are not blocked from my mind.

Yet I am sure. I know it. This is right where He wants me to be.

As I walk through the wide halls I look down, afraid that if I dare to look up I might see one of the many “episodes” that are an all too common sight between classes. I walk quickly and quietly with my best friend. The others, they don’t notice us. They don’t ask us to join them in their conversations. We are rejected but not disheartened.

Every other day at lunch, Minority and I sit alone and read from my Bible. The people around us stare, and sometimes go so far as to ask us what we’re reading. We joyfully tell them all about it and they walk off disgusted, laughing at us like we’re lunatics.

All around us, I see people who are hungry.

They are hungry for the acceptance of the world; I accepted Jesus and will never hunger again.

They are hungry for love that will never satisfy; I discovered the love of Christ, which will always satisfy.

They are hungry for power; I realized who holds all of the power.

They are hungry for riches; I am rich because of His love for me.

On the other days, those wonderful days, I sit with four other girls who walk with Him. We find an odd sort of comfort, knowing that we are never really alone. There’s always someone watching over us, even in the darkest of places, and I am once more convinced that this is right where He wants me to be.

It isn’t an easy path. He never said it was supposed to be. He only promised that it would be worth it.

Right now, life seems like one great big trial.

I’m up for the challenge.