Confessions of a 31-year old Junior High student.

So my daughter made some not so good choices a few weeks ago. 

After a few minutes of digging, we realized her bad choices came down to this: she wanted to be like the cool kids at school. 

It only took me about 5 minutes of preaching to her to realize that I basically do the same exact thing. 

And so do you. 

Sure we might have outgrown the patchy facial hair, cracking voice, untreatable acne and pizza BO that plagues many a junior high kids, but for the most part, we all still play the same game of trying to be as cool as the other 'kids'. It's just a lot more expensive now. 

Be honest, how many times do you feel pressure to live up to the 'Joneses' with the following things?

Cars. Houses. Ministry position. Athleticism. Our kids Athleticism. Education. Our kids education. Weight. Clothes. Pay check. Platforms. Number of Face-book friends. Number of face-book likes on our status updates. 

Ok, I'm gonna stop because this is getting depressing. I can relate to way too many things on that list. 

It's like I'm a 31 year old junior high student who still desperately wants to be accepted as 'cool'. 

I still want people to respect me. Love me. Pick me. 

I still want to sit at the cool table during lunch. I still wanna pull up to school in my classic dragon red mustang and starter jacket. 

Ok, maybe not the starter jacket part. But everything else I wrestle with just like my 14 year old daughter does. 

The good news for both of us is our desires are legitimate. Wanting to be valued, loved and respected aren't lies from the enemy. Those are legit. 

The enemy's lie is that getting ____ will get us those things and that God is holding out on us. If you eat the fruit he says, you will become like God. 

If you get a better car, nicer house, bigger paycheck, sexier body, greater platform, more fame, you'll be so much cooler and happier. 

You ever wonder why we make such bad choices financially? morally? socially? etc.

Most of the time, it's because we've bought into that lie that _____ will ultimately give us love, value and respect. 

Enter Jesus. 

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

What's awesome about this verse is Jesus said it right after he just fed 5K people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. 

This miracle was so amazing that the bible says everybody was so stuffed from the fish and bread buffet Jesus supernaturally provided. Want to guess what happens in verse 22? 

They were hungry again. 

Enter Jesus. 

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

Translation: I'm the only one who could ever give you the lasting satisfaction you're really looking for. 

Stop chasing things that will only leave you hungry and thirsty again. You don't need to live up to the Joneses who are trying to live up to the Smiths. 

Cars. Education. Money. Relationship status. 

All those things eventually betray us and leave us wanting more which is why the coolest kid at your junior high is probably no longer that cool when you look back.  

Actually, most of the time, that kid that we wanted to be ends up being just as insecure as we are. 

Only Jesus can continuously fill us. 

What are the most obvious ways you think adults still really try to be the 'cool' kid?
Also, loved, respected or valued, which of the 3 do you desire the most?

On a lighter note, if you remember, tell me about the coolest kid in your junior high and what made him/her so awesome back then.