March 28: GANG LIFE OR CHURCH FAMILY ?

A major concern across the country is the multiplication of youth gangs. Gangs at school have people fearing for the safety of their children. Bullying is a problem. Gangs are committing murder and mayhem and many are fearful at night.
My Mother used to say “Birds of a feather flock together” but that doesn’t explain what’s happening now because gangs stretch across racial, social, and educational lines. The one common expression is anger. When gangs get together, the anger boils over and someone gets hurt.
Gang life is imitation family life. There is a family name and insignia and lifestyle and a demanded loyalty to the gang by all members. These are the kind of traits that used to be used to describe family. But with the breakdown of family and parents going through multiple marriages or partners, youth have been stripped of identity and miss their family. Hence the search for a family unit and the gang is the closest thing they find.
However, there is another alternative: the church. Many churches see themselves as family and the members call each other “brother” and “sister”. Many people, cut adrift without a family of origin to give stability, found a positive alternative in the Body of Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12 NIV)
There is a brand new life when you become a child of God and then you are automatically linked up with all others who have ever had this experience. This new family (gang) life is strengthened by such instructions as Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” As long as family life is deteriorating, gangs will multiply in number. Thank God He has provided a “good gang” alternative. I’m sure that you can find a real “family relationship” near where you live.

“Loving Father, I know that you do not want us to wander through life
cut adrift from meaningful relationships. Thank you for spiritual families.
Amen”