Yes, this is a rough graphic. I meant for it to be a rough graphic. I looked for a rough graphic on the Internet, one that I could reprint here. Too many of our high school and college youth think it is funny to end up completely wasted. They do not see themselves as even their friends see them, as objects of hilarious picture-taking. And, too many of those photographs end up posted on somebody’s board or blog, there for all to see and there to ruin someone’s future.
But, worse, too many of us pastors have received the anguished call from the parents telling us that their child is in the hospital and may not live. I have been at the hospital emergency room and watched the pulse of an 18 year old go to nothing and the physician call off the team. It was a drunk drowning. (I worked in a hospital back when.) As a pastor I have buried a 15 year old and a 16 year old, victims of drug violence. No, I have no desire to receive any more of those phone calls.
And, so, this week of New Year, I put up this warning. It is no sign of maturity to let yourself end up like the poster above. Be mature; control yourself.
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