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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Last week we made comment on the number of opportunities opening up to you in college, accompanied as well by the temptation to indulge in aspects of the "college experience" that Christians should avoid. Mentioned as well were a number of venues open to us for advice – good and bad – and some of the consequences of choosing poorly. So who else should we listen to and attempt to understand? The best place to start is at home. Your mom and dad aren’t perfect. (This may come as a shock to some of you.) But a theme that runs from the beginning to the end of both Testaments of our Bibles is one of honoring, respecting and obeying parents. One of the Ten Commandments is, "Honor your father and your mother,…" Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16. Jesus noted it in his discussion with the rich young ruler as being a priority. (Matthew 19:19) And Paul says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Eph. 6:1-3Solomon reminds us of the value of our parents’ experience and advice, even when they are no longer physically present. "…keep your fathers commands and do not forsake your mothers teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you wake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,…" Proverbs 6:20-23
Who else will offer advice and attempt to inform you? Your professors are going to teach new concepts, question old ideas and challenge your beliefs. New friends may test your resolve, your patience and your dedication to ideals and ethics; challenging your stand on the issues and the validity of your lifestyle. But that can be good for us. It shouldn’t frighten us to explain who we are, what our ideals and sense of ethics are; what we believe and why. Sometimes these challenges help us to focus our thoughts and verbalize as never before who we are and what we stand for. At times, to be challenged is to be strengthened! Besides, some of our ideas and concepts need challenging, refining, re-thinking - maybe not completely changed but broadened, deepened; more firmly held and clearly understood. And occasionally there is "stuff" we need to clean up and throw out. Certainly drug use would make that list. Countless lives are impacted and lost – figuratively and literally – as a result of young people experimenting with illegal drugs and abusing legal ones. Untold millions are spent by individual states and the Federal government to stem the flow of drugs into our country and across state lines. Even more is lost to hospitals, rehab centers, prisons and funeral parlors for those entrapped and enslaved by the lure of drugs and the transitory sense of euphoria they give. Lost lives are incalculable, as at the very least plans change as a result of drug use; career opportunities altered by arrest convictions, relationships destroyed because of addictive behavior and expectations modified when priorities shift due to the influence of even "minor" drugs.
Acts of passion and crime escalate as addiction intensifies, anger and desperation often controlling the emotions of the user. Occasionally, however, the opposite occurs; an almost total loss of connection with anyone and interest in anything occurs – overridden by the desire for the next hit. Marijuana, alone or in conjunction with other drugs, is the most common illicit drug used today; by 76% of those currently using drugs. Considered an entry-level drug, it often relaxes the users inhibitions and leads to a deeper involvement in the "harder" and harsher drugs available. The watchdog group Monitoring The Future reports that 53% of twelfth graders have used an illicit drug in their lifetime – which usually increases in the relaxed supervision and enhanced opportunities of the college scene; an estimated 8 million (or 3.6% of Americans 12 or older) having tried Ecstasy at least once. In fact, almost 48% of beginning college age students are estimated to have smoked Marijuana, 8% having used Cocaine with almost 2% trying Heroin. A range of tranquilizers were ingested by 11 ½% of the student population, 18 ½% experimented with Ecstasy while 7% used Methamphetamines.
All this in the vain search for fun, meaning and purpose in life; which proves to be transitory at best, false in it’s promise and contrary to the way Christ would have us live the abundant life as salt and light to our peers and acquaintances. (Matthew 5:13-16; see also Romans 12:2 and 1 Peter 1:14)
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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