Page 20 - Potters Vessel - Vol 1, Jan 2018

FINAL 2 - Jan 18_Potters Vessel - First draft 13/01/2018 18:08 Page 20

the Potter’s Heritage

Behind the Bright Lights...

"My parents are always nagging me.
They won't let me do what I like.
They treat me like a kid. I am fed up!"

ndeed, pressures at home can be so great that you to man, but its end is the way to death" (Prov. 14:12).
have at one time or another considered moving out. It is not so much of the loss of your life but that of your
IYou have often slipped away (for a couple of days) soul. If you die in such a situation, you will end up in
to stay with friends and come back. Initially, it was a hell. Hell is a place prepared for those who live such lives
passing thought but now it is a deliberate decision and and neither believe, accept nor serve God faithfully
seems to be the ideal solution to your problems. Have during their lifetime.
your really got any problem? None whatsoever. As a
teenager, your major problem is that "you always want to God loves you so much. To demonstrate this and to en-
have your way" because you are selfish; you often think sure that your life is not ruined, He has organised a period
that everything and everyone should revolve around you! of discipline for you. It is called "A moulding period."
Throughout this period, which may last for many years,
You think you are mature and confident to handle your God will use your parents /guardian and some people in
life but you are naive, foolish, inexperienced yet stubborn the society to discipline you. He will always supervise
and arrogant. You refuse to listen to your parents or them and correct whatever mistake they make regarding
guardian; you idolize some ungodly stars and want to your life. Hence, God will mould your life to the pattern
fashion your life after them. You have forgotten that it is He wants it to be. Your parents too love you. They desire
not all that glitters that is gold; your destiny is far more that you have the best of everything in life.
glorious than those ungodly stars you are shadowing! As
bad as you think things might be at home, you will So, do not rebel against God and your parents or guardian
discover that problems on the streets are worse. No one UNLESS they are taking you down the ungodly route.
out there is prepared to offer you the genuine love and Maybe you have never heard about God since you were
security you enjoy in your family. You will soon see what born. Perhaps the only time you ever heard of Jesus name
is "Behind the bright lights" of the big cities or the was in swearing. He is speaking to you right NOW. It is
families you are planning to run to. never too late to consider Him.

However, if you are already on the run, do not be ashamed
If a friend promises to accommodate you for some time to talk to God about your situation. He will not tell you
in order to achieve your ungodly goal, he cannot keep you off. He is constantly waiting and watching for your
for ever. One day, he will send you packing. You will return. You only need to repent and forsake all your
have no place to go than to sleep rough on the streets or wrongdoings. He will forgive and make you His child
in hostels where you may be more exposed to perverts, (Luke 15: 20-23). Your parents too have missed you.
drug-traffickers and other evil practices. In your desper- They will be very glad to welcome you back into the
ation you may succumb to deceptive words: "You're very family.
brainy .... You'll make it within months. We'll show you
how. Um.... life will be just perfect." Are you being thrown out by your parents, stepparents or
guardian, do not go on the streets. Invite Jesus into your
In no time, they will abuse, threaten and force you into life. He will resolve the unpleasant issues between you
either male or female prostitution, drug trafficking, and your parents or provide a more loving family for you.
pornography and robbery. You may be unable to retrace One thing is certain - God shows keen interest in every
your steps because your 'mentor' will have a 'strong hold' aspect of your life and has a permanent solution to all
over you. Should you rebel, he will beat, threaten or pull your problems. Be aware that every decision you make
the trigger that will kill you and bring a swift conclusion has a positive or negative consequence which could be
to your life. Now, that is what running away from your immediate or long term.
secure family closet is all about!
Do not fashion your life after ungodly stars, for they are
YOU NEED HELP travelling on a road that leads nowhere but destruction.
Do you still feel that running away is the only solution
after learning about the consequences? You need help. r
The word of God says, "There is a way which seems right The Potter’s Vessel

The Potter’s Vessel 20