A Better Place - 40 Pack

Many teens often make the mistake of taking action too quickly without thinking about the choices they make before they act.  This tract tells two true stories of two teens both making the wrong choices: one a Christian, deciding that his better place was to end his life here on earth, and the other taking a ride that would change his life forever. The tract encourages the reader to make wise choices.
 
A BETTER PLACE … IN GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE 
 
In the book of Psalms, we find the writer David exposing his heart to God.  David says, "O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern (understand) my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether."  (Psalm 139:1-4)
 
While talking with a friend, the phrase "a better place" was introduced to me.  My question is, "What is a better place?"  To me, a better place is a place that brings me closer to God, that I might fulfill the purpose, the life, that He, the God of heaven, chose for me to live out.  Years ago, it was shared with me, with joy, that a friend had led her troubled teen-age brother to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  A short time later her brother decided that his better place was not to seek help and live his life out as God had intended for him but to end it here on this earth. In the Word of God, we find that nothing can separate us (we who are in Christ) from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39).
 
I am not suggesting anyone ending their life, for whatever reason.  That would be the wrong choice.  For it is God that gives life, and only God can rightly take it back.
 
The Bible tells us, "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (His plan for your life)." (Romans 8:28)  In the book of Ecclesiastes 12:1a, Solomon says "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth."  
 
Many teens too often make the mistake of letting someone else do the thinking for them, as is told in my own true story.  In my teen years, with all the intentions of going to school that day, I chose to go for a joy ride instead, me and about four other friends.  As I recall, it was just another normal morning.  I walked to a friend's house to pick him up for school.  We were sitting there just blowing smoke (talking) when in walked a friend's older brother. He was excited to share the fact that he had the keys to his uncle's car, and wanted us to share in his excitement and good fortune.  My plan was to be a good boy that day and to go to school, but the thought of going for a ride with friends, along with peer pressure, got the best of me.  No, the devil didn't make me do it, I made a bad choice that day all by myself. 
 
It has been many years now, but I can see myself in the car riding along with friends and a fun day ahead of us. I'm not sure what was wrong, but the police were chasing us, and we were racing through the alleys of the city at a very fast speed.
 
I could see the speedometer, and without exaggeration, it was reading more than 90 miles an hour. My thoughts were of hope and fear, "I sure hope we get out of this mess safely and I'm fearful of the possibility of dying today," and all because I made the wrong choice.
 
Well we didn't die that day.  But the wrong choice of skipping school for a ride with friends cost me a year of my life in a boy’s reform school at the ripe old age of 13.  I found myself away from home and having others make my choices for me.  By the way, the car that we were riding in was stolen that morning.
 
The Bible says, "and be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23b)  The truth is that God has a purpose for your life, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare (or peace) and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)  God wants you to live life to its fullest.  Jesus proclaimed, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (a life full of hope and gladness).  (John 10:10b)  
 
Jesus wants you to make the right choices.  He wants to give you His joy, His peace, and all His best.
 
Exodus 14:14 states, "The Lord will fight for you."  Your youth is a time to prepare yourself for adulthood.  Don't mess it up.  God has great plans for you!
 
By the way, I was asked to do the funeral service for my friend's brother (the one that chose not to live by making the wrong decision to end it).  There was no joy, only pain and sadness.  My heart too was in deep sorrow with thoughts for the families left behind to deal with their loss and suffering.  Nehemiah 8:10 says, "do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  
 
God has "a better place" for you.  Jesus declared, "If you abide (dwell, be at home) in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)  
 
I find that because God has given us free will (freedom to choose on our own behalf), my life is better as long as I put Him first.  "God is our refuge (shelter from danger) and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
 
The choice to live for God, yourself and others is yours.  The right to life is God's! Talk to a friend or whoever, just talk to someone with an open heart.  You will find that things as a rule look better in the morning.
 
Psalm 30:5b says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  And Joshua 23:10 proclaims, “the Lord your God is He who fights for you.”
 
The greatest day of my life was when I asked God’s Son Jesus to save my soul and make me whole (well).
 
Talk with God and live to share your story of Victory through His Son Jesus.
 
~  B.V.M.