Dreams (Unreachable)
Inspired by and Dedicated to Vania Quiles
by Lissa, 18, Lake Hiawatha, NJ
I want to write. I want to sing.
But more than that, I want to bring
my heart, my soul, to my King.
To reach a dream is always tough.
To step out of the boat when the seas are rough.
Knowing what I have isn't enough.
I love to dream, but I don't know what for
because reaching my goals requires all I have and more.
So,I just look at my dreams through a still-open door.
I hold onto my hopes, onto my dreams.
Maybe they aren't as unreachable as it seems.
Worth It
by Lissa, 18, Lake Hiawatha, NJ
The week before Easter in 2008, we had a worship concert: “Facedown” at my youth group: Velocity Reborn. I was somewhat annoyed at this. I spent the weekend sick. My voice was slowly improving, but there was no way I could sing if I was hardly able to talk.
So, I did what I could do. I mouthed the words, wrote in my journal, sat while reflecting on the lyrics, and attempted to sing (with no success, of course).
Then, Pastor Matt, my youth pastor, started to talk about the cross. As a youth group, we took Communion once annually; this was that service. Unlike normal communion at Sunday morning service, a video was shown. Last year, when we were shown clips from “The Passion” I looked away. I knew there would be blood; I didn’t want to see it. This year, I knew that I needed to watch. I held the wafer in one hand, and the plastic grape juice-filled cup in the other. As the scene from the movie played, I sat almost completely still except for trembling hands. With each whip lash and with each time the hammer pounded the nail I told myself two things. “He did that for me.” and “I’m not worth it.”
For years, I’ve struggled with feelings of self-worth. I still do. There have been times where I’ve felt that I wasn’t really worth anything. I’ve grown up as a Christian, and I’ve memorized verses on my value and worth to God, but nothing ever really clicked. The head simply would not communicate this message to my heart.
When Pastor Matt asked us “Who here is glad Jesus died on the Cross?” my initial response was “I’m not.” I will admit it, I’ve messed up. I’ve been at points where I’ve felt that the dirt had more worth than I did. Why would the King of all sacrifice Himself for me? I’m not worth anything like that at all.
Thing is though, even though I didn’t deserve what God did, He still did it. Even though I feel worthless at times, and I tell myself I’m not worth that sacrifice, God doesn’t see it the way I see it. He sees me as beautiful, and He thinks I’m worth every drop of that precious blood that was shed on that cross.
Jesus didn’t make that sacrifice because I was worth it. I am worth it because Jesus made that sacrifice.
Made for More
by Lissa, 18, Lake Hiawatha, NJ
Note: This poem was written in a late-night text message to a friend.
I was made for more than these tears,
more than these fears.
I was made to pursue impossibility,
not made to be held in this captivity.
I was made to surrender my life, my all;
made to persevere fall after fall
I was made to be more than this mess
I was made to conquer and nothing less
The Light That Leads to Life
by Margaret, 14, Wichita Falls, Texas
I sit in the dark, alone again.
No were to turn, no one to turn to.
I wish I was someone else. Someone with out this emptiness
When I find a light,
I am filled, Though it last but a moment.
All I ever see is sparks, only to be washed away by rejection.
I continue on in the darkness.
I see a torch that stands high in the sky
I start walking towards it.
Could this be what I have been searching for for so long?
Something to fill the emptiness? Something with purose?
Now I am running
When I finally reach it I am filled with an unquenchable fire.
My emptiness is filled by his love.
My word is lit with light from a thousand stars.
How can I keep this fire hidden, when so many people still walk in darkness?
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said,’ I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’’ (John 8:12 New Living Translation).