18 Jun, 2008
There's light in their story
"We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."
Jonases get a good view from the top
At the center of this mass hysteria are three young men: Kevin, Joe and Nick. Known internationally as the Jonas Brothers, they are on top of the world — or 42 stories, to be exact. From the rooftop deck, the brothers take in a spectacular view of Central Park.
The platinum-certified recording artists have been traveling in Europe with rocker Avril Lavigne and will launch their North American headline tour July 4 in Toronto. Three shows at Madison Square Garden sold out in record time. Their Disney reality series, Living the Dream, premiered this spring.
'A reminder of values'
Part of the brothers' appeal is their old-fashioned, Osmond-like innocence. Their parents, Kevin Sr., 43, and Denise, 41, married when he was 21 and she was 20. Kevin Jr. hopes to follow in their footsteps.
"What happened to the idea of getting married young?" he asks. "I don't understand why people are so afraid of getting married. I think when you find true love, you should go out there and get it."
All three brothers wear purity rings as symbols of their commitment to remain virgins until marriage. It's a topic they clearly would prefer to keep private.
"The boys made a decision when they turned 12 years old to put those rings on their fingers," their father says. "We didn't give them these rings as a pledge of perfection, but as a reminder of values. Our hope is that they'll always know that there's a good, right way to treat the opposite sex."
An ordained minister, Kevin Sr. strives to block off time on the road for the family to worship and give thanks for their blessings. "It's not so much about a specific time, it's about a lifestyle," Nick says.
Says Joe: "Even songs we write today, if you really listen to the lyrics, it can be about love songs, but it's also about our relationship with God. It's simple. We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."
photo & story courtesy usatoday.com, 6/12/08
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being Christ's light?
Light is very interesting. It is noticed and it shows the way. This is true of a big building full of lights that sits on a hill or of a small candle on a table.
From reading today's story about the Jonas Brothers, it's obvious that these young followers of Christ are shining out Christ's light through the story of their lives. How many teenagers today are willing to take a stand of saving sex for marriage? Their songs have a message about meaningful relationships...including the one they have with God.
Different Christians have different expectations for other believers. Some would want the Jonas Brothers to sing only Christian songs while others don't think it's a big deal. Some would prefer that the Jonas Brothers be a bright light on a hill while others think they can impact our secular culture by letting God use them to be a small candle on a table.
What does Jesus want the Jonas Brothers to do?
Regardless of impact, light is something that Jesus said should characterize our lives.
Sometimes we hide our light by not speaking up when we should, by going along with the crowd when we shouldn't, by letting sin dim our light, or perhaps by ignoring opportunities to meet the needs of others.
We don't have to be a spotlight. Sometimes yes...but often, just being a candle of God's Truth will be noticed by someone and show them the way.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Ask yourself if there anything in your life that is hiding Christ's light?
- Let Jesus help you see any need for His forgiveness before He replaces it with His light.
- Ask Jesus to help you be faithful to the little opportunities He gives you to be a light. Thank Jesus for always being the light to show you your next step in life as you serve Him.
- Using a Bible study guide (usually in the back), look up ten verses that use light as an analogy for living for Christ and following Him.
- For one month, write down every opportunity that Jesus gives you to be a light to someone. At the end of the month, evaluate what you have learned and make any needed lighting adjustments.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to the lives of others?
- Pray every day for Jesus to show you one opportunity to bring His light into some one's life. It might be as simple as a friendly smile at school, in your neighborhood, or at work... to someone who is lonely.
- Pray for the Jonas Brothers to simply be faithful to Jesus and let God use them to bring some light into this dark world.
- Write a note of appreciation to another follower of Christ who has been "lighting it up".
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