The FCA noodle race.
When lives are broken, He’ll help
Oct. 26, 2007
Experts say we learn best when we see – as in actually looking at - what we’re studying.
Visual aids – lighted candles, sand, bricks and water – helped huddle leader John Bushong drive home some powerful points at the Thursday, Oct. 25th meeting of the Montezuma Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in the Presbyterian Family Center.
The topic was “broken things” and the more than two dozen young people in attendance noted things in their lives that were broken – like car doors, walls with holes in them . . and their hearts.
“It includes people,” Bushong said. “There are three ways people can become broken,” he said.
“The first way is we do it to ourselves. It’s self-inflicted.”
“Selfish reasons are involved. Power, fame, money . .this can lead to drugs, alcohol and sex. We see people crash in flames,” Bushong said. He supported his statements with references to people in the Bible.
“King David was an example. He was the most powerful man in the world at the time,” Bushong said. “He spotted Bathsheba. They were both married, but it didn’t matter. She ended up pregnant.”
“David tried to cover it up. He had her husband murdered. But God knew,” Bushong said, “and David was broken. This kind of thing caused damage to people around them.”
“The second way is circumstances,” Bushong said. “Things just happen. In the Bible, Job was a victim of circumstance. Disaster struck. The army killed his workers and children and took his crops. And he became ill. It was like a brick in the face.”
“In times like these, we might ask, ‘Where’s God?’ Or, ‘Why, God?’” Bushong said.
“The third way is other people,” Bushong said. “In the Bible, we have Joseph. His brothers threw him into a well. He was rescued, but was sold into slavery.”
“We all know people in Montezuma who have been damaged by others,” Bushong said. “Maybe all of us are in that category. And perhaps we ask, “Is that all there is? I live so many years, then they throw me in the ground and throw dirt on top of me . . .”
“The Bible says we have a little faith built into us,” Bushong said. “Faith says there’s something more. It’s like a candle. We each have one. The devil wants it blown out.”
At this point, the students each were given a candle and they brought iight to a darkened room.
The lighted candles were extinguished, by different methods. Some were dropped into sand. Other students hit the end of their candle with a brick. Still others doused them in a bucket of water.
“While we’re doing this, let’s think about and pray for people we know who might be in tough situations,” Bushong said.
“We don’t have to let our light go out,” he said. “Jesus Christ loves you and will help you through the tough times. He wants you to succeed. Those three people in the Bible didn’t let their lights go out.”
Bushong explained that King David was humbled before God, that Job accepted what happened to him but didn’t let his faith waiver, and that Joseph forgave.
“It’s especially hard to forgive,” Bushong said. “God wants to build character in us,” he said.
“There are people in our town who are hurting tonight,” Bushong said. “There are people in this room who are hurting.”
“Now,” Bushong said, “I want to pray for you over the next few days.”
With that, all in the room hit their knees in prayer.
Earlier in the evening, the students played a game prepared for them by John and Christy Bushong. It was a “noodle drag race.” Teams – boys vs. girls – grabbed wet noodles and laid them end to end. The noodles had to touch, and the winner was the first team to get all the way across the gym floor.
The girls won.
Later on, it was time for ice cream, and everyone won!
NEXT UP – The FCA and an ecumenical community youth group meet at 8 p.m. on alternating Thursdays in the Presbyterian Family Center. All students in grades 9-12 are welcome.
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