Spirituality is booming in the United States. At least that is what the polls tell us. At the same time fewer and fewer people have ties to a specific belief system or a church. In general, church attendance is declining. And only one fourth of professing Christians say they make decisions based on absolute values—the kind found in the Bible.

The fact that many people desire a spiritual experience isn't really that surprising. You probably do, too, and you may have talked with friends at school about their own interest in spiritual things. Yearning to fulfill our ultimate destiny and be a part of God's family is actually quite logical.

 Yet without confidence in the absolute values found in the Bible, many have adopted the Luke Skywalker approach to Christianity—they trust their feelings more than they trust God. Secular philosophers tell us to look within ourselves in order to find good, instead of looking to God and His Word. Sadly, the vast majority of Americans seeking spirituality follow this path. They pick and choose what they will believe and do based upon their feelings.

People before us have tried to define spirituality on their own terms. In the first century A.D., Jesus asked that generation, "...why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Expounding this concept a little further, Jesus added, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

The point is, God has established a way of life that He expects us to follow. Looking for good within ourselves is a tragic mistake. As the ancient prophet Jeremiah put it, "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

So as a young person deciding how to live, what kind of spirituality do you want? Will you settle for mediocrity or accept nothing less than a genuine relationship with God on His terms? This kind of spirituality is rare in this modern world, but it is available to you if you truly want it.

In this issue of Youth United e-magazine, we have focused on helping you become part of the minority that believes in the absolutes of the Bible and strives to live by them. How can you develop such an approach? Begin by reading the article titled, "What Do I Need Right Now?" followed by "Is God Real to You?" and "Is the Book Worth Reading?" These lay the foundation for acknowledging God and His Word, the Bible, as the controlling authorities in our lives.

Next, read "Held Hostage," a true-life story about answered prayer. "When Should You Be Baptized?" provides practical, honest answers to the questions young people have when they consider making this formal commitment with God.

Wrapping up this issue, "Teens and Alcohol" explores why alcohol is abused by some teens and how to develop a healthy perspective toward it. Then our regular feature on education explains "When Cramming Helps and When It Doesn't." Finally, we present the ever-popular "Questions and Answers" featuring questions from young people themselves.

Just one more thing... Christianity isn't for wimps. It isn't for people who just want to follow the crowd. Jesus said, "...narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). Our wish is that you will be part of the minority that develops true spirituality. YU