Thursday, June 10, 2010

Power hungry girls

I almost had to laugh speaking to the teenage girls in one of our churches on a recent Sunday.  Some had grown up in the church while others had just started attending a few weeks before.  Some had never read a Bible in their lives, and all of them came from unsavory neighborhoods and had seen unspeakable things.  I looked across the classroom of dead-pan faces, girls clad in tight jeans, tight tank-tops or scoop necked t-shirts, just  daring me to say something that they would think even slightly interesting.

It seems that acceptable behavior among teen girls in the ghetto is to show absolutely no regard for adults.  Stare at them, but don't speak to them.  When asked a question, say nothing, don't respond.  The body language is meant to say, "Why should I care about you when I don't even care about myself?  You are meaningless, you are one of THEM."

Thank goodness that I have wised up to the fact that those are just lies they hide behind. None of them really feel that way.  All of them are lonely, afraid, insecure, and desperately in need of care and guidance.  They all wanted to hear what I had to say, but were terrified of showing it.  They've been enslaved to a spirit that threatens to make life miserable if they become open and honest.

But as I talked, I discovered that what they were looking for was not love or acceptance or purpose, but power.  These are girls that wouldn't bat an eye beating up a friend that turned on them.  I know because they told me so, sincerely believing that that was the only way to solve the problem.  Telling them that Jesus teaches to turn the other cheek brought out shrieks of protest.  "What?  Why???!!"  Letting others have the upper hand is unthinkable.  In their lives where drug dealers prowl their streets, where their own relatives have attempted to rape them, where violence at home is the norm, where the school yard is a place of survival of the fittest, the concepts of servanthood and giving to receive are as alien as another galaxy.

If I had a daughter facing danger, I'd want her to be equipped with something powerful to protect her, but what would that be?  I began to speak of the invisible world of God's Spirit that surrounds them, and the power they have over evil in their lives.  Demons are real, unseen forces that provoke violence are our enemy, not the people who we see in front of us.  Their eyes widened as they learned that there was a power that they could use that would keep them safe, and that would fight for them, the power of faith in Jesus and the authority He gives us over evil.  Examples and testimonies made some sit up with excitement, while others squirmed uncomfortably as if something inside of them hated hearing it.

I asked, do you want to have this power?  The only way it can work is if you surrender your life completely to God's Spirit, and let Him control you.  That's when you're under His protection.  Do everything differently, upside down, give before receiving, love those who hate you, believe before your eyes see any change, and learn to face the devil head on with no fear, and drive him out of your life.  Now that's power that can have the after-effects of a nuclear bomb.

They left with different looks on their faces than when they came in.  I challenged them to try it for just one week and tell me what happened.  Let's see if they did.

25 comments:

Ana Lucia said...

Sure Mrs Evelyn, if we want this power, the only way is to surrender our life to God.

Ana Lucia - RSA

Debora Anjos said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debora Anjos said...

I was so happy for the Girl talk at other branches.

"believe before your eyes see any change, and learn to face the devil head on with no fear, and drive him out of your life". - this part applies a lot to me.

For some, giving the other cheek has already been accepted and is practiced, for others, giving before receiving is the challenge, or believing in what is not changing is super hard.

But having faith in God means doing the whole "package", accepting the fullness of faith.

Better is to obey than to sacrifice.

Blanca said...

Mrs. Evelyn; I used to be one of these girls, and all it takes is someone to show us the way, many of us we don't get this at home, so we have to learn from everyone else. I think is a good thing to do what you are doing, many young girls will be reached.

Tania - Queens, NY said...

this sounds like an amazing talk you gave Mrs. Evelyn. I'm sure many, many girls were touched by your wised words and they will change and soon you'll tell us of the great outcome.

I never thought about what you said of "they dont want love or acceptance... they want power." I always was taught that someone that is very closed and angry, just wants someone to hear them out. but you just showed me that that is not it. people dont want to feel love, they just want to know they can step over everyone else!

But it shouldnt be that way! The only one we should and can step over is the devils and his demons! THAT power we do have and we must put it into practice.

Lily Torn said...

I can relate to these girls. It's like growing up in a place where you see no good. No happiness, no success, no nothing. So why even try if everything around them will remain the same? That's exactly how I thought. It wasn't until I realized that there is a lot more to living than what my eyes were seeing.

I know for a fact that your talk with them affecting them, even if it was just a little or a whole lot. They learned something. And the seed of the thought that there being something more to the life than what they've been living has been planted.

Sandra Ulume said...

Mrs Evelyn that is such a great blog post with strong words.
We can really see just what these girls go through inside and what they believe and stand for but the challenged you brought to the table is a really good idea.
I look forward to seeing how they will take it on. I believe it will be a blessing!

Bianca Moctezuma said...

Really true & Strong.
I used to be this girl as well. Until i really gave my whole life to God and let him work on my life.

Abigail chicas said...

I know that god will touch their hearts. Its like the parabole of the seed always remember.

Dania said...

This is great, The Girl Talk is back. I know that many of the teen girls that were present to the meeting. Were fighting against themselve to hear the message given to them. But if one hear and put to practice what was told. Then it was all worth it. Soon they will be giving their testimony to other teen girls.

Kenia Rivas said...

Hi Mrs.Evelyn,

I feel that the Girl Talk is such a great idea. We all need guidance and help at one point or another in our life and this is a great way to provide it for these young girls at church.
I definitely agree, the only way to have the real Power and Authority, is by surrendering our life to God, giving Him control. That way we are allowing Him to act in our life and be with us every second of our life making us stronger and protecting us.

Thank You for this message.

Sincerely,
Kenia Rivas

Fran L said...

Mrs Eve, many of these girls put up a hard exterior and it's very difficult to let their guard down. I know because I was like this. I was rude, disrespectful, and manipulative, you name it; but deep down I yearned for love. I wanted the emptiness that I felt to be filled; I wanted the hurt that I had to be erased. I remember sitting in church meetings and listening to the pastor preach, but nothing stayed in my heart and I was so cold and pretended that I was ok; but it was a front. It's really good that you set them a challenge and slowly but surely that tough image will break.

Leeanne Ledesma said...

You Know every word I read just now, is like a clear picture of my past, Sometime's pride and anger are the only ways one does not feel weak and Vulnerable in this world, or so I thought.
The same way alot of these girls are, so young but make themselves out to be a tough big little girl..
'I know the only way to see change is when we truly out on our spiritual glasses, I know anyone can do it and I know God spoke to many of thses you "power Hungry girls" and we will see God acting in there lives as they will to!

Lee, in Houston Texas!

Raquel Parras said...

It´s a good idea this girl talk, I am sure that many girls were helped...***

Areli Dozal said...

I prayed for these girls after you told us about them, and I really hope that God speaks to them after you have. Those would be amazing testimonies!!!!

Revolted_Manila said...

so strong. it's up to those girls now. it's a challenge of faith. to have power, we have to submit first to God.

^_^
CIndy from Manila

PHAMELA JOY--UCKG PHILIPPINES said...

so powerful..=)
i really believe that nothing is impossible to our GOD..
thats why I am always putting in my mind that IF WE SURRENDER EVERYTHING TO HIM (GOD) HE WILL HELP US AND TEACH US IN EVERYTHING WE DO..
thank you so much..
kisses
__PHAMELA JOY--UCKG PHILIPPINES

Maria Correa said...

God has giving them the chance to know the truth and to make a decision of changing. I'm sure that God spoke in the hearts of some of the girls and it's just a matter of them deciding to listen or not.

Lerato Mkhwanazi said...

It is so sad to see these kind of women around us because the greatest power that one needs is the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the ultimate power!

Maritza Barr said...

Mrs. Evelyn this is very true. I was one of those girls that you just finished describing. Due to so much rejection I built up an invisible wall around me and was determined to never let anyone every inflict pain, or, agony upon me.

The more that I would try to appear as tough the more I actually wanted to be loved, or, at least cared for. But, just like some of the girls I wouldn't dare show my flaws and actually admit that I wanted help and wanted to better myself. When I saw girls admitting openly that they needed help... I saw them as being weak and vulnerable. I had sworn to myself that I would never let anyone take advantage of me and therefore resorted to having an attitude towards everyone.

I'm glad that you are able to talk to them and see beyond what their actions say. They desperately need someone that is willing to help them!

Sarah Dok said...

This is strong Mrs Evelyn, if not all of those girls heard the voice of God in this messag then I'm sure at least 1 of them did. I believe someone was saved that day.

Anonymous said...

A lot of us also did not know of this power that is not physical before we came to the church and had to surrener to God and leave the violent type of power behind. I bet those girls will see a difference in their lives and will make the choice to receive the power from God.Thank you Mrs. Evelyn. Boitumelo (S.Africa)

Liza said...

Hi Mrs. Evelyn!

Thanks for this post.
If we want this power, the only way it can work is if we surrender our life completely to God and all things will be under His control. ;-)

missleon said...

It's amazing that when we come to God, all of our worldly principles have to go out of the window! Having lived by these principles for so long it is much easier said than done. I would know as I came to God at a young age, having experienced some of the things mentioned in this blog. However, putting our own principles aside and taking on God's principles is the only way that we can see His power, but when we do truly experience it we never look back!

Triana ! said...

I remember when i was one of those girls i also wanted power, respect and i wanted the bad way. But then like your example it was like you were talking about my life wow..
thats true i changed the way i looked at things also...