The dictionary defines adolescence as: “The stage between childhood and maturity”; and “Roughly between 14 & 20". What do you think of adolescence?
One thing I can tell you about it is that I went through it. And I can tell you that I thank God it is a thing of the past for me. The fact that I choose to hang out with you guys who are smack bang in the middle of it must prove me crazy or something.
But it is a weird time. I often hear parents say, "I just don't understand my kid!" I sometimes want to answer "Well, guess what. They don't understand you either. In fact, they probably don't understand themselves."
What are some of the things that happen to girls? They giggle a lot for no apparent reason. Then they blame it on them being tired.
What about guys? They just become hormones on legs. They start discovering girls, but they are too shy to approach them.
But seriously, this time in our lives brings about many changes. One moment we feel safe in our home environments, the next minute we start discovering that there is a big world out there, and that we need to start meeting the challenges of this big, scary world. Suddenly we have our future to consider. What if I make a mistake, what if I do something wrong? And the all consuming question - What is my destiny?
Added to this are powerful physical changes. A lot of strange stuff pours from the endocrine system into the body producing what is called the "growth spurt", and hormones really stuff up our moods and thinking. This sometimes causes us to act strangely.
Guys can't wait to get that first little bit of stubble on their chins, and then complain when their school tells them to shave. Girls just want to look older than they really are - I don't know if this is just to get into clubs or what!
Adolescence is kind of like a period of temporary insanity. In fact, I have a proposal to make. I say from now on all teenagers walk around wearing straightjackets.
But it isn't all fun and jokes, is it? The truth is that I really don't understand this stage - even though I went through it myself. Even our friends who are going through it with us don't seem to be able to help us much. I know that it was a very insecure stage of my life, and I felt alone. I felt as if no one understood me. Sure, having a girlfriend helped, but there were so many other messed up relationships in my life. I shouted at my parents that they never cared for me or loved me. I often used to lay in my bed seriously depressed - I even cried once or twice. When people told me that it was a temporary thing I was going through, it didn't help me one little bit. I remember contemplating suicide one evening. Thank God that never got very far.
Do you sometimes have those feelings? Do you sometimes feel like the bottom is falling out of your world? Do you sometimes feel like there is nothing that you can depend on? Maybe it is your relationships, or maybe the future that scares you. Do you feel like you are all alone?
I want to tell you that I was a Church going person even while I felt all of this. Somehow me attending the local youth group never dismissed me from going through adolescence. The other day I read something that I think may help people who are going through adolescence…..
It's about the time in Jesus life and he is addressing a whole lot of people. And He's teaching them about His way of life, about how to treat other people, about their pursuit and understanding of God. And as He is wrapping up He says these words:
Matthew 7:24-29: The wise man builds on rock, and the foolish man builds on sand. I am very proud of a thing that I have done around our house. I decided to build a dog house out of bricks because my old wooden one was decaying. But first I had to dig a foundation and throw concrete. I couldn't just lay the bricks straight on the grass. This was very hard work, but now I have a strong dog house that will last for years…..
(Use models of house on sand and rock. Blow one over etc..)
When I was in the army I deployed in townships and rural areas, and it was sometimes devastating to see the condition of some of the houses. Built from sticks and mud, they would disintegrate, or blow over. Families would be left homeless. They never built on a sure foundation.
When I was in standard seven I gave my life to Jesus. I accepted Him as my Saviour and asked Him to be a part of my life. Still every day I need to ask Him for help, guidance, and comfort. Just because I am a Christian it doesn't mean that all my troubles are taken away, but it does mean that I have a strong foundation to stand on. It does mean that the same God who created the universe is on my side, and He is comforting me. He promises to be with me always and NEVER leave me. There is something, there is someone who can help you through difficult times in your life - even through adolescence.
Matthew 12:28,29: "Come to me, all you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest."
Some people try to rely on other stuff. They turn to alchohol, or friends, or drugs, or sex. Hoping somehow to escape from their feelings and insecurities. I have not yet heard of one person who has found true and lasting happiness in any of these things. It lasts about as long as a house built on sand. Maybe a week, maybe a year …… but for your whole life, and then for eternity, there is only one sure foundation that you can put into place for your life.
Maybe you have never reached that time when you asked Jesus to be that rock …..
Or maybe you are a Christian and have before decided to ask Jesus into your life, but you haven't fully trusted Him to be your rock ……
Romans 10:13: "Every one who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved."
I am not surprised that statistics show the majority of people who become Christian do so in adolescence. I found Christ in my adolescent years and have found Him to be enough to help me through my awakening personality, and to plant my feet on the rock that has never moved. Sure I have often moved on that rock, but it has never moved under me. Prayer
Written by Eugene Oosthuizen
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