A far cry from the days of smoking a cigarette or using profane language to upset the elders, a segment of today's youths are pushing the limits of bad behaviour to frightening extremes, swapping toys for knives and guns with deadly effect.
Liverpool is still reeling from the heartbreaking murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones a few weeks ago, the main suspect a boy of just 15 years. Just prior to Jones's death, the nation was saddened by the killing of 47-year-old father Garry Newlove by teenagers outside his home in Warrington. And in London, residents on the capital's estates are struggling to come to terms with a string of teenage killings this year.
Throw into the messy pot recent headlines lamenting high levels of alcohol and substance abuse, as well as alcohol-fuelled violence and vandalism among Britain's youngsters and we have a fairly dark picture of British youths today.
It may seem a daunting prospect to reach out to youngsters, particularly at a time when they are getting so much negative press. But most young people are simply looking for fulfilment and just don't know where to find it. It is our responsibility, therefore, to make ourselves 'user-friendly' before the God who remembers each of His children by name, the prodigal sons especially.
As Christians we must turn instinctively to the light and become the light ourselves. That means volunteering ourselves as God's tools for building communities of Christ-centred love, even when that comes at some cost or risk to ourselves.
