"Rumspringa"

Scripture: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 2:1-2)

It doesn't matter what kind of life you walked out of when you first accepted Christ. Whatever the case, it's nothing less than amazing to look back and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He has given you eternal life!! And you can be nothing but filled with awe and wonder when you look back and see where and how He has guided you since that time.

I watched a program recently about the practice of "Rumspringa" in the Amish religion. This word is derived from the Pennsylvania German language, meaning "running around." Rumspringa is a period of time given to adolescents at the age of sixteen and ends when the individual chooses to be baptized within the Amish church or leaves the community entirely.

It's a weighty decision for ones so young. Many of these sixteen year olds head out into the world, shuck off the traditional clothing of the Amish and for the first time, wear jeans and t-shirts, eat fast food, listen to CDs and radio. They '"try" on all the luxuries of today; buy cell phones, obtain driver's licenses and work for wages. On the extreme side, some will go to parties and experiment with drugs, alcohol, promiscuity.

Statistically, most return to the church, are baptized, marry, have children. A smaller percentage leave and never return, choosing to remain instead out in general society.

As I watched this program, it occurred to me that though we are not Amish, we each, who have come to accept Jesus Christ, have experienced our own "Rumspringa" of sorts. Some of us must see life out in the world; experience separation from Christ ourselves. But choosing Christ in our lives makes the Light that much brighter.

Unlike cults that hold their parishes hostage by threatening their lives if they leave, it's important for every individual to choose Christ themselves in their own time. Jesus always wanted us to have free will to choose to follow Him. God is a gentleman. He never forces those He loves to follow Him.

By choosing Christ for ourselves, as most Amish children do, it generally keeps individuals from growing resentful towards Christ and their own community. This is especially important when the communities the Amish live in are very small, and very tight, where everyone knows everyone; and everyone pretty much knows everyone else's business. But on the flip side, they have survived in America for close to 300 years due to the fact that they DO live in such tight communities, taking care of each other and each other's needs. There are no homeless Amish. No Amish individual goes hungry, unemployed, or on welfare.

Every faith group has their own distinct belief system and order of living. But so long as we can all agree on the basics: That Jesus Christ, Son of God, born of a virgin birth, came down from heaven in human form, lived among us, was crucified, died and was buried, rose on the third day and now sits at the right hand of the Father - we can all learn so much more from each other.

Prayer request: For those in our close circle of friends and family who are not yet saved. That we can be the light to them, and that the Lord can use us to woo them into the arms of Jesus, Who is ready to accept them into His loving arms - if only they would accept His love and grace.

Prayer: Lord, we come humbly to You and thank You for the path You put us on that led each of us to Your unending love, peace and grace. What mercy you have showered upon us, and we are grateful. And now we come and ask You to help each one of us to shine YOUR light out into the world, and help us to show others the way out of the darkness of their lives. Move in the lives of our loved ones, and let us be Your conduits to bring them into Your lovingkindness. Amen