Sin and Temptation: Week 2, Day 3

Day 3: The Drive Through Window

When I was a Student Pastor back in Kansas City, I went to the McDonald's drive-thru to grab a quick bite to eat. I pulled up to the intercom and waited to hear that lovely voice say to me, "WELCOME TO MCDONALDS. CAN I HELP YOU?" I always like to say yes and then wait a long time to see what they'll say next, but that day I was in a rush, so I quickly gave my order. "I'd like two hamburgers, one medium fry, and a large coke. Oh yeah, I would also like a hot fudge sundae without the nuts." She then asked me the strangest question I had ever been asked in a drive-thru. The girl on the other end asked if my order was for here or to go. I got a real kick out of that question. I told her it was to go, and she thanked me and told me to please pull up to the window. As I drove up to that window, I thought to myself; this girl is on some serious drugs.

I pulled up, and this girl was bright red with embarrassment. I told her it was ok because I was used to stupid questions because my students ask them all the time. I looked at her, and I said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" She said, "Yes, you did a conference for my church about a year ago." "Oh, yea, I remember. How are things going over there." "Pretty good," she said. "Things are finally picking back up again." "How is the youth group?" I asked. "I don't know.", she said. "I don't go anymore." I knew that she wasn't old enough to have graduated from High School, so I asked her why she wasn't going anymore. She explained that she got married about 5 1/2 months earlier because she got pregnant, and they thought it was the right thing to do. I asked her how married life was, and she explained that it wasn't good and that they were going through some pretty big problems. But, she said she wasn't about to give up on her husband and their marriage. I gave her a card with my phone number and told her to call anytime she ever wanted to talk.

As I drove away, I prayed for that girl. She had just turned 17. I told God I understood why He put me in the Student Ministry. It was to show kids that He loves them, to help them see where Satan was leading them into a trap, and to help them beat the odds.

This poor girl made one wrong choice. One bad mistake, and her whole life now and in the future, was affected because of the decision to have sex with a guy. She's miserable. She works at McDonald's because money is so tight. She'll never get the chance to go to college. She and her husband will probably struggle financially for years to come, and he might not even stick around to see his child grow up.

One bad choice. One wrong decision and her whole life took a turn for the worst. Sin doesn't pay, or does it? I guess it does. It takes away your innocence, squeezes out your purity, and holds you prisoner for the rest of your life.

Jesus didn't come two thousand years ago to see your life get messed up. He came to make a difference in your life. Jesus got tired of seeing all the kids blow it and mess up. He came so that you would now have the strength to say no to sin and yes to life at its fullest. I know it's tough sometimes to do what is right instead of what is wrong.

If you're struggling with a problem or a pet sin, open up to a godly person and tell them about it. Ask them to help you break free of that stuff. I don't want any of you to have to face the consequences of making a stupid decision. So hang tough today and remember, the choices you make TODAY WILL affect your life 5, 10, 15, even 20 or more years from now.

Time Out:

1. Read I Peter 1:14-16. What does it mean to be holy like God is Holy?

2. If this girl would've thought of the consequence of her actions, do you think she would be where she is today?

3. Why is it easy to lose sight of what God wants for us to be?

4. What areas of your life could Satan trip you up, and mess up your life?

Ask God to help you put away all past sins and temptations and ask Him for the strength to become a holy person. If there is an area of your life causing you some potential spiritual harm, call your Student Pastor or trusted adult for help. That's why they are there. They want you to beat the odds.