The summer break has gone with the wind and the new school year is in full gear. During your holiday, you might have experienced the love and power of God in unique ways, whether at a camp, a church service, or even in isolation. God would have made an undeniable mark on your life and ignited a passion within you to serve Him.
That divine experience will, however, be tested even as you step into your classroom to navigate the usual rigours of school life. If you are already questioning whether you can really love God despite the many temptations you face on campus (including hiding/denying your faith), you are not alone.
Be encouraged by the story of Rachel Joy Scott, who (like you) was called by God in her youth. Thankfully she stayed alit in her devotion to Him to the very end of her time.
When Rachel was 12, she visited the church that her aunt and uncle attended and chose to commit herself to Jesus.
The following is an excerpt from her diary which actually was intended to be a part of a book she was writing for teens:
RACHEL GIVES HER LIFE TO JESUS…
I sorta looked around and then closed my eyes and then raised my hands toward heaven. I don’t remember what I said, but I will never forget the feeling. That night, I gave my life to Jesus. That night, I said yes to God.
But saying yes to God isn’t like turning on a light bulb and making what was once completely dark now completely visible. Saying yes to God is more like saying yes! to an adventure—every day on the journey, you see more, ask more, learn more, and know more. And you just can never tell where God will lead you.
I remember wondering, later, exactly what had I done? Was I going to be weird now? Will my friends think I’m not fun anymore? Will the me on the outside be different from the me on the inside? I made the decision that night to give my life to God, but that was only the beginning. Knowing what that meant didn’t happen all at once.
The decision I made that night started a chain reaction in my life—and it was the best decision I ever made.
COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL
In the ninth grade, Rachel enrolled in Columbine High School. She was an attentive, above-average student who displayed a flair for music, acting, drama, and debate.
By the age of 17, she displayed a passionate interest in both evangelism and discipleship. She was debating as to whether she should become an actress or a missionary.
Her family said that Rachel had her struggles like any other teenager, but loved Jesus. Her diary revealed her commitment to follow Him.
Rachel was open about her faith in Christ and unashamedly witnessed on her school campus about Him.
Her devotion to Jesus unquestionably affected her social life. Although popular among her peers, she would occasionally resist invitations to attend certain social events with friends out of fear she would succumb to the temptation of drinking alcohol.
In her mid-teens, Rachel had a serious relationship with a boy, which she ended after almost a year. She was concerned that they were moving too fast and that the relationship might develop physically; and she didn’t want to compromise her sexual purity or have the relationship divert her from who she was called to be.
Furthermore, because of her faith, she was occasionally subjected to being mocked at school. Five of her closest friends had distanced themselves because of her increasing commitment to Christ.
On April 20, 1998, Rachel wrote in her diary,
“I lost all my friends at school, now that I’ve begun to ‘walk my talk’. They make fun of me; I don’t even know what I have done. I don’t really have to say anything and they turn from me.”
She continues, “I have no more personal friends at school. But you know what? I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus. I am not going to justify my faith to them, and I am not going to hide the light that God has put into me. If I have to sacrifice everything I will. I will take it. If my friends have to become my enemies for me to be with my best friend Jesus, then that’s fine with me. I always knew being a Christian is having enemies, but I never thought that my ‘friends’ were going to be those enemies.”
Less than a year before her death, Rachel had written in her diary, “This is my last year, Lord. I have gotten what I can. Thank you.”
Somehow Rachel had a feeling that she was going to die young. She told her friends that she would never have a chance to marry and would not live beyond age 20.
RACHEL’S LAST MOMENTS
Three weeks before a mass shooting at her school, Rachel had witnessed to the perpetrators – Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Eric and Dylan were seemingly oddities, and students mostly avoided them. Rachel however tried to talk to them, encouraging them to leave their hateful feelings and turn to Jesus. Sadly, they hated her all the more and did homemade videos mocking her Christian faith.
On the day of the shooting, Rachel was outside the school building having lunch. Eric and Dylan entered the campus and she was their first target. They shot her in the leg twice and also in the back. They left but returned seconds later. Realizing she was still alive, Eric walked over to Rachel and grabbed her by the hair, lifted up her head, and asked, “Do you still believe in your God?”
Her response was unflinching and unwavering, “You know I do”, which provoked Eric and he responded, “Then go be with Him.” And he shot her in the head.
(superdifferent.com/rachel-joy-scott, “The teen who loved Jesus”)
CAUTION TO YOUTHS TODAY
From very early in history, people suffered and died for righteousness’ sake (think Able). Jesus, our ultimate righteous example was crucified, yet it was all part of God’s plan to save mankind. Persecution and martyrdom continued even in the early stages of the church, is in progress, and is expected to increase as Jesus’ return draws even closer. He warned of this reality while He was on earth and also in the book of Revelation.
Faith calls for us to not be earthbound in our perspective and see the loss of this temporal life as the greatest injustice. We must believe that all things work together for good…that it is a blessing and honour to die in the will of God, knowing (like Jesus), no man takes your life; it belongs to God and He determines the end of your time on earth.
Be encouraged and comforted by John 11:25-26 and 2 Timothy 2:12.
God is desiring more bold youth who will do His will at all costs. Will you be in that number? There is no need to fear dying on the firing line of God’s army if Jesus will receive you in the end (see the story of Stephen in the book of Acts, he literally got a vision of being received by God as he was stoned to death).
Let the light of Christ shine unhindered through you as you simply obey/love Him above all else, and watch what He does through you this school year whether on or off campus. Come what may, prove that “keep on the firing line” is more than just a song.
Darien and Kimoy Callum are members of Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry.