I am writing this in hopes that each of you have gotten your school year off to a great start and are meeting new friends. It is really tough being a Christian today-students as well as adults. We’re forced to make a lot of choices about who we are, or who we are not. We have a lot of dividing lines drawn for us…however invisible, we see them clearly everyday. The grades we make, overachievers, underachievers, geniuses and slackers. The groups we hang out with—jocks, preps, goths, sk8ers, gamers or geeks.  Even as Christians there are divisions about what church you attend, Biblical interpretations, how we pray or worship.  You can understand why many students (and yeah, adults too), struggle with questions and insecurities like:

•  Where do I belong ? 
• Who cares about me ? 
• Why don’t I fit in ?

Take some time and really take a look at these verses from John 17. Lay aside the labels and dividing lines and simply call out to God, just as Jesus was doing in this scripture.  Do a personal   check-up. Challenge yourself !  Be the kind of friend that God can use. Spend some time in your quiet places and prayer closets praying, Lord, may the world believe that You are real and Lord, use me to touch others !  Bring your new (and old) friends to church and youth group with you. Let’s all step out in faith and just watch what God can do !