Is the ‘Glee’ in You?

The musical set at a high school has its dark side, but these students with a song in their hearts are fun to watch.*

Such is the description of the Fox show Glee, which has a lot of people texting, tweeting, and talking about.  I must admit that at first I figured this show to be a lame TV version of another rather popular high school musical story called...well, you know.

But I stand corrected. Glee is definitely and defiantly not life at East High, rather it is an insightful, sarcastic, and downright enjoyable journey through senior high existence.

Enjoyable for me anyway - because I'm done with high school, so I'm out of the lame games, drama, and mean boy/girl interactions that I'm sure most of you reading this are painfully aware of.  So maybe that's why it's popular with teens?  As someone once said - "misery loves company" - and there are a lot of characters we can connect with in Glee.

Most of the principle characters are not who would be voted into the 'most popular on campus' sort of deal.  In fact, the place where this crowd hangs out was dubbed the 'sub-basement' by the head cheerleader - and I doubt she meant that as a compliment.

So let's play a little comparison game.  If you were able to choose, would you rather go to East High with Troy and all the gang, or does McKinley High with Kurt and Mercedes seem more like your style?

For me, I think both high schools would be fun, but in the end I think I'm going with McKinley...why?  Well, what was true of me when I was a teen is still true now as a senior high teacher - I like the Glee Club students.

Sure, I get along with the other cliques, but the group of students that doesn't seem to fit in reminds me of what it means to be a Christian in this external image focused, materialistic, shallow values, pleasure-seeking world.  We've decided not to play the popularity game, and we realize that oftentimes the cost of 'fitting in' is not worth the compromising price tag.

Here's the way the Apostle Paul explained it to a group of believers who were starting to make the church into a clique oriented carbon copy of the world:

My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame.

What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to him. You are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy. So if you want to brag, do what the Scriptures say and brag about the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-30).

See what I mean?  Paul is basically telling them (and us) that we are the Christian Glee Club.  He didn't call us to follow Christ because we had anything to offer, actually just the opposite. We are the 'losers' who deep inside carry incredible gifts and talents that He wants to use to change the world.

So if you're feeling like you live in the 'sub-basement' of this world, be loud and proud that "you are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy."

And remember, most if not all, school campuses have a 'glee club' of sorts.  Students who truly believe that not a soul in the universe loves them or believes in them.  But you can change that!  Start a Christian Glee Club at your school that isn't all about the performing, but about proclaiming the good news that Jesus Christ loves them, died for them, and wants to have a forever relationship with them.

*Source: Los Angeles Times, May 19, 2009.

Flash Point: Ignite Into Action

I can guarantee you that there are students on your campus who sit alone and have no one to hang out with.  So what would Jesus do at your school?  Easy - sit by them, befriend them, and start a spiritual conversation.  This week, connect with someone who seems to be outside the popularity circle, talk with them about God or invite them to youth group and let God use you to make a difference in someone's life.

Accelerant: Feed the Fire

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:1-12).

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (Matthew 25:41-46).