HE is faithful

After writing in my journal this evening, I decided to open a few of my old journals and read what I had written around this time in the past. I almost didn’t open up my childhood journal, but as I was about to close my drawer, something made me grab it.

I opened to September 26, 1997.

At 12 years old I wrote an entry about my friend Ricky’s wake that I had attended earlier that evening. Ricky was my middle school classmate that had committed suicide a week earlier.

He was the same age as me.  

His funeral was the first that I had attended, and to this day I can remember the sadness that loomed over the church during his homegoing celebration. In fact, it was no celebration. A 12-year-old child had just taken his own life, what could we celebrate?

In a split-second, the enemy stole his potential.

No one knows why Ricky took his life. There were rumors going around, but none will change the fact that he’s no longer here. 

We can’t imagine a 12-year-old facing issues that would push him to suicide, yet today this is still happening. This reminds me that we must pour into the youth and remind them that God loves them and has a plan for their life!

In another entry from September 21, 2009, I praised God for giving me a relevant word during my bible study that evening: Isaiah 43 & 44:1-5. 

The key verses that stood out to me  as I reread the above scriptures were Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV): 

 ¹ But now, this is what the LORD says— 
   he who created you, Jacob, 
   he who formed you, Israel: 
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 
² When you pass through the waters, 
   I will be with you; 
and when you pass through the rivers, 
   they will not sweep over you. 
When you walk through the fire, 
   you will not be burned; 
   the flames will not set you ablaze.

God has redeemed us and called us by name! If only Ricky had known this when he sat alone in his room contemplating suicide. If only he had known that whatever fires were burning around him would not have set him ablaze!

Today, God has confirmed my decision to work with the two youth ministries at my church. He has shown me that I must serve him in a new way and remind these children that God who has formed them in their mother’s womb will help them in times of trouble (Isaiah 44:2). I pray I never have to sit through the funeral of another child lost to the world. I pray God does a new thing and gives me courage and boldness to serve him by sharing his truth with today’s youth. I pray others join me in this effort and look beyond their own problems and see that there is work to be done. I thank God for this appointment and praise him for his faithfulness. 

May Ricky rest in peace.