Rev. D. Hind
David has written a book called in Hindsight and the following is an extract from it. He recently has assumed the leadership of Trinity Church, Leicester.
The teenagers thing
BY REV. D. HIND
I recently sat with a group of sixty teenagers for a question time. The questions they asked included, ‘What is your greatest regret? How much are you paid? Do you find some preaching boring? How far can we go in a relationship?’ At the end I was given a few moments to say anything else I wanted to pass on. Sixty lives, listening, open, ready to hear – now that’s a responsibility. Here’s what I would like to say to every teenager.
God thinks you are precious
You weren’t a mistake, a result of failed contraception, or a little surprise. You weren’t born by chance – the result of a biological reaction – you were created and planned by God, who loves you passionately and longs to be close to you.
Your parents make mistakes
There are no perfect parents. You may be in a great family in which love is shown and you feel secure. Even you, listen! Your parents are not perfect. Forgive them for their mistakes. Forgive and learn from them so you can even be better when you become a parent.
Be yourself
There’s only one of you and you don’t have to be like everyone else. Peer pressure is a challenge and to be accepted is important, but you are unique.
Preserve your virginity
If you are still a virgin at seventeen are you all right? YES! Don’t compromise a gift for a moment’s enjoyment. Don’t give this part of yourself to anyone until they have shown you commitment in marriage first. You can lose your virginity quite easily, but you can never regain it.
Don’t worry about masturbation
I believe God’s ideal for you is for you to live without masturbation, but if it is occasional it isn’t a major issue. Can God still love me? Yes. Will I go blind? No. Am I the only person to be tempted? No. Be careful what you watch and think about, stay healthy, and ask God to help you cope with your sexual drive. Don’t worry.
You don’t have to….
….get drunk, take drugs, sniff glue, watch pornography, love football, watch 18-rated films, swear, be difficult in the home, have a strop, harm yourself, belittle who you are, have every trendy label, go to nightclubs, have money, have a boyfriend/girlfriend, get and A* in every exam, or be perfect. Really, you don’t have to.
Dream big
What a life you have ahead of you, full of incredible possibilities and massive potential. Dream of changing the world and then go on and do it. Let no one tell you it can’t be done.
Love Jesus
At the age of twelve His parents found Jesus in church, talking to the leaders and asking them questions. They were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Jesus is the ultimate hero. He didn’t have the money of Bill gates, the football skills of Wayne Rooney, or the record sales of Robbie Williams, but His birth date sets the timeline for the world. His life is talked about more than any other and His death changed history. Jesus is alive and to know Him is the greatest thing in life.
