interlínc : Maximizing Music and Media in Youth Ministry

Hey everyone. My name is Rob Beckley. I am the singer for Pillar, and am incredibly excited to talk about one of our new songs. Its called Reckless Youth.

No need to waste time beating around the bush here. The definition of reckless is to act with disregard to consequence. Therefore the definition of a Reckless Youth is someone who is willing to live out their faith recklessly. Not worried about others thoughts or criticism. Not afraid to take a stand for Christ in the middle of a peer pressure driven society.

Now technically speaking there are numerous definitions for the word reckless. The most common across the board uses the word careless. Now I know that it can't be taken out of context and like all inspiring thoughts it probably will be (the bible tops that list). But I want us to take a short look at how careless/reckless (I use that in a very positive way) some of the early followers of Christ were. They didn't care!

The book of Acts is filled with all kinds of recklessness. There are so many different ones that I don't think I can get into all of them. There are a few that really stand out though. So lets briefly focus on those.

In chapter 3 there is the crippled man who began dancing and singing praises to God after Peter and John claimed a healing in Jesus name. Now both sides of this are reckless. Peter and John put off going to afternoon prayer to heal a beggar that everyone probably used to make fun of. Why did they bother? They were reckless that's why. They didn't care about being late to prayer. They didn't care that everyone else had put this man on the back burner since birth. People actually took time to carry this man to the gate every day. A gate called "beautiful." A beautiful place for a miracle. When the man danced, he too was being reckless. Think of how much shame he must have felt every day to beg and be made fun of. Through this miracle and the power of Christ he let go of the shame and began to dance in front of the same crowd that mocked him.

Acts is full of reckless heroes. Ananias (9:10-19) was probably the first to show the love of Christ to Saul (Paul) after his conversion. Cornelius (10:30-35) showed Peter the gospel was for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. James (15:13-21) had the courage to take command of the Jerusalem council and make a decision that would affect Christianity for generations. Lydia (16:13-15) and Jason (17:5-9) both risked their own lives by letting Paul stay in their homes. Julius (27:1, 43) spared Paul's life while others wanted him dead risking his own life. How about Barnabas' encouragement to Paul. Without him we may not have received the teachings via Paul.

My favorite though is Stephen. You have to admit that giving your life for the cause of Christ and being one of the first recordings of doing so is a bit reckless in terms of our original thought. To act with disregard to consequence.

Here is the nutshell version of Stephen. He was the equivalent of the kitchen manager. He was one of the managers of food distribution. He found himself speaking out in front of the council knowing that the words he was speaking would lead to his death. His last words weren't in pity. They weren't words of fear or selfishness making sure he was forgiven. Instead he asked God to forgive those that were stoning him. At these words (7:54-60) the bible says that Jesus was "standing" at the right hand of God. This is the only time in the bible it says this. Other references say Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

How many risks do we take being a true follower of Christ? Can we say we would give our lives to die for Him? Are we willing to fully commit to living for Him? If we answer yes to these questions then aren't we already RECKLESS! Let us all be a RECKLESS YOUTH!!

Rob Beckley