Lately a lot has been on my mind. My God, my relationships, my future, my youth group. I have been pondering on the quote by an anonymous author that says," Sometimes I want to ask God why he allows so much poverty, famine, and injustice in the world, but I'm afraid he might ask me the same question." After reading that, I really wanted to pray that same question, but before I began to speak to God, he cut me off, telling me,"If you don't like poverty, famine, or injustice, then do something about it!" Proverbs 14:31 says, "Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors Him." God has a special concern for the spiritually and physically poor and insists that those of us who have should give to those who need, whether it be with our money, prayers, or time.

This leads me to my youth group. Being a member of the student leadership team, I often wonder just how much reign in the ranks I have, feeling compelled to speak out, but so inefficient enough to be heard. It's because of this that I have been failing to speak up and out about Church Under the Bridge. I've had this endless feeling since I first wrote about it on December 15, 2008 that my youth group as a whole has not fully been living out the word of God amongst each other and amongst the world. Worst is that I've felt like any strain of love will graduate with our seniors. God gave us the wonderful opportunity to have houses to call homes, food to feast, family and friends to fellowship with, and a world to worship on. And what did he ask from us? Matthew 10:38-39 says, " If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." Now to people our age, we can't say see'ya mom, dad, school, although that last part would be awesome, but can say see'ya obscenities, foolish talk, selfishness, jealousy, anger, slander, pride, gossip, and greed, and saying hello to salvation, eternal life, joy, love, and the almighty, powerful word of God.

Yesterday at Student Life Conference I heard an analogy that really spoke to me. How foolish would it be to watch a football team run out onto the field and into their huddle, conferencing together and making game plans, then to see them break, and run back on the bench? The point is, sometimes we do that, all of us. Our goal as Christians should be to get out there and play the game. Matthew 25:31-39 says, 31 ""But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33 He will place the sheep at his right and the goats at his left.34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ' Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me."37 "These righteous ones will reply,' Lord when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?"

Our time to play the game is now. Our time to truly live the love we say we have is now. Show those oppressed, those famined, those sick, those imprisoned, those naked, the love and mercy of God. What really screams at me the most is Church Under the Bridge. Why not live out some of your love there. Matthew 25:40 says, 40 " And the King will say,' I tell you the truth, when you did it to one the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"