“God Is With Him.�?BR><BIBLEPASSAGE versestart="18" chapter="16" book="1sa" translation="niv">1 Samuel 16:18</BIBLEPASSAGE>

Call it American Idol, 1,000 BC.

King Saul’s people were looking for a new musician for the palace. They scoured the countryside, looking for the right talent. King Saul was very choosy, very irritable. So they couldn’t make a mistake.

Their search led them to David, a young man still in his teens. David had all the right qualities.

He was goodlooking.

He had courage.

He was an incredible musician.

He was an eloquent speaker.

But there is one quality David possessed that stood about above the rest. “The Lord is with Him,�?people said.

Who said teenagers can’t be passionate for God? Who says teenagers can’t experience God’s presence in their lives? Who says teens can’t be a light in a dark world?

Let me ask you a question. If a journalist traveled to your school, your home, your sports practice, your iPod, your mySpace, your scrapbook, your journal—would it be said of you, “The Lord is with him,�?or “The Lord is with Her.�?

In other words, do people know you’re a Christian? Do they see it in the way you live your life?

I’m not talking about bumper-sticker Christianity. I’m not talking about wearing a WWJD bracelet or sporting a Fish symbol on your car or wearing a loud Christian t-shirt. That works for some people.

But what really shines the light of Christ into a dark world is your transformed life. How you treat people. The way you carry yourself. Integrity in the classroom. Grace toward your parents and siblings. Love for those who treat you wrongly.

That’s Christianity in shoe leather. Christianity that makes a difference. Christianity that attracts.

Think: 

• Do your closest friends even know you’re a Christian?
• Would people say about you, “Wow, there’s something really different and refreshing about him or her.�?