“And every day when I get up

I see folks trading in their crowns

For all these paper or plastic lives

An opiate for the masses’ hounds”

– Caedmon’s Call, Standing Up For Nothing

I woke up a few minutes ago with that lyric ringing in my head. Actually, the line repeating over and over was simply “paper or plastic lives”. I couldn’t remember the reference and had to google it.

I wish it didn’t seem so appropriate, but I struggle with the same discouragement as the writer of that song. It’s the lot of the student minister (and even those of the “used to be” category, such as myself) to see those you once influenced grow up and make their own choices, some of which, at first glance at least, look less than wise.

All you can pray is that through it all they’ll cling to Jesus.