Standing Out, What Makes Me Different | Teen Ink

Standing Out, What Makes Me Different

February 8, 2010
By LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.


I walk through the doors of my high school as I watch hundreds of kids pass by. Millions of teenagers just like me nationwide attend school as well, so what makes me so special? What am I doing to stand out? I would hope the answer is obvious to those who know me. I smile every time I am recognized as the Christian girl, so innocent and outspoken. It is an accomplishment to know I do not have to tell someone how I stand because my actions are speaking for me. I attend the Bible study at my school, and Church regularly. I stand out from the crowd by saying no to the simplest things. My peers may say im “too innocent” because I choose not to cuss, “try” alcohol, or go too far with a boy. However, I know I am not a saint. I make mistakes, sometimes I make the wrong decisions, I get mad and frustrated and slip a few words I should not have, but that is what makes me human. No one is perfect, that is exactly why I turn to God to save me of my sins.
What makes Christianity different from so many other religions? Christianity is the only religion that teaches you cannot earn your way to heaven. The Bible states, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one can get to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).” Many believe you can get to heaven simply from your good works. Well consider this, the Bible says everyone will face Him after death to be judged (2 Corinthians 5:10), if you were standing before God how would you prove you deserve to be in heaven? Let us say He told you to get into heaven you needed 1,000 points. You might say, “Well I did help my mom clean the kitchen once without her telling me to.” However, keep in mind that God is omniscient, which means He is all knowing. In response He might say, “Alright there’s one, but you also hit your brother the same day.” Really, there is no way that you can end up getting those points because everyone has many more negative thoughts and actions than they do good ones. That is why Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. God sent Him to give His life to pay the debt of our sins.
There may be those who do not believe in God in general. How do you explain the universe? If you argue with the big bang theory, I ask what made those molecules that collided? The Bible says, “Since what may be known about God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–His eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:19-20).”
Christianity is more than a religion; it is a relationship with God through prayer, and reading His word, the Bible; it is not a label, it is a lifestyle. For so many who question the meaning of life, it is to glorify God in what we do, to give to Him what he gave to us (life). Earth is only temporary; I do believe there is an afterlife because the Bible tells us so (2 Corinthians 5:10). Everyone will have life after death, the question is where you will spend it, heaven, or hell, there is no in-between. We are on earth now because God has given us a choice to follow Him or not. You cannot force love, so He gives us the option to surrender to Him or surrender to sin, the many temptations we face every day.
The bell rings, marking the end of another day. I walk through the crowd my head held high, my face glowing with joy as if I am the light shining. Heads turn and people ask, “What does that girl have that makes her different? How does she smile, when so many things go wrong?”



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This article has 96 comments.


on Apr. 10 2010 at 7:28 pm
Darkstar6265 GOLD, Centennial, Colorado
10 articles 0 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
Everything you have will someday be gone. Even if you don’t miss it now, you probably will later. So take pictures and hide them in your memories so you can recall them later after everything that is becomes everything that was. OR I know you’re hurting, even if it’s just when you’re alone and thoughts seem to rush into your head and you can’t seem to keep them from coming in. But there can be beauty in pain; Even though sometimes it’s hard to see.

I really liked this great job! 

on Apr. 10 2010 at 5:04 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

Well the Bible says there is only one way to heaven, through Jesus Christ.

on Apr. 10 2010 at 5:03 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

its alrite.

and i believe happiness can only last for a short time, but you can find joy through Christ.


on Apr. 10 2010 at 5:02 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

u can't say u cannot control your thoughts bc ther ur thots arent they, its not lyk someone else has forced them into ur head.

on Apr. 7 2010 at 12:10 pm
tennisplayergirl GOLD, Arrington, Virginia
10 articles 0 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
"He who will not risk cannot win." John Paul Jones

Buddha is a divine power too, though that part I don't believe in . Buddhism is really about finding happiness within, and focuses on meditating, being nice to others, and remaining calm in usually tough situations. Ever heard of the Dalai Lama? He is sort of the leader of Buddhism, and has reached enlightment (ultimate happiness). well, that's it! sorry i said whatever before btw. :)

on Apr. 6 2010 at 10:52 pm
Destinee BRONZE, Oakville, Other
3 articles 0 photos 303 comments

Favorite Quote:
Blegh. - Abraham Lincoln

I think that bad actions are sins, and actions are judged by intentions. You can't always control your thoughts, but controlling your deeds is the whole point, isn't it?

on Apr. 6 2010 at 4:07 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

sorry if you could explain what exactly is it that budhha does?

on Apr. 6 2010 at 4:06 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

how is it not if God knows ur every thought? then what would you view as a sin

on Apr. 6 2010 at 4:05 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

It's just my point of view.

on Apr. 5 2010 at 2:05 pm
tennisplayergirl GOLD, Arrington, Virginia
10 articles 0 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
"He who will not risk cannot win." John Paul Jones

whatever....

on Apr. 5 2010 at 2:03 pm
tennisplayergirl GOLD, Arrington, Virginia
10 articles 0 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
"He who will not risk cannot win." John Paul Jones

Buddhists don't believe in god, although they do believe in Buddha. But since they don't believe in god, I am an atheist.

on Apr. 4 2010 at 9:15 am
toxic.monkey SILVER, Tashkent, Other
6 articles 0 photos 210 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Homo homini lupus"

sorry, destinee.

@ LeannaRose i didn't actually mean you. in fact i admire you for standing for your beliefs and not caring what others think of you, just being who you are. but i greatly dislike those who try and tell me how to think and how to act. i'm just trying to be me, like the rest of you people.


on Apr. 4 2010 at 9:11 am
toxic.monkey SILVER, Tashkent, Other
6 articles 0 photos 210 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Homo homini lupus"

right. so any person can go to heaven. but only as long as they're christian, since you have to believe that jesus is god. oh and of course feeling bad about your sins.

on Apr. 4 2010 at 9:02 am
toxic.monkey SILVER, Tashkent, Other
6 articles 0 photos 210 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Homo homini lupus"

atheist because i don't believe in a divine being. buddha wasn't divine, he was only a man who showed others a different way. like jesus, but without being really any different from other people.

"follow" isn't really the right word for me. i found buddhism to match to what i thought, rather than buddhism teaching me to think like the way i do.


on Apr. 3 2010 at 10:13 pm
Destinee BRONZE, Oakville, Other
3 articles 0 photos 303 comments

Favorite Quote:
Blegh. - Abraham Lincoln

Well, I'm going to go off-topic here, but I had no idea you could bold stuff. Which is stupid of me, seeing as the "B" on the toolbar is right there, but there you go, that's lack of observation for you...

Anyway, I was actually talking to Leanna_Rose.

And I don't think every bad thought is a sin.


on Apr. 1 2010 at 3:38 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

No i guess i cannot prove it physically, that is why i hav faith. Hebrews 11:1 states, 'faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' And yes i beleive we should listen to Him, bc He has proved Himself to us. We know He is real by His creations, as I qouted in my article. Proverbs 14: 12 tells us, 'There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.' and Romans 1:32 reads, 'They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyways...' You cannot live for yourself, that will get you kno where.

on Apr. 1 2010 at 3:27 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

ZadaRox101: i couldnt hav said it any better. thank you so much, may God Bless:)

on Apr. 1 2010 at 3:20 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

if i may ask, and why do u follow those certain beliefs of buddhism, and yet call yourself an athiest?

on Apr. 1 2010 at 3:19 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

toxic mokey: i am not trying to force anybody into anything. i am simply trying to get others to realize my views and give consideration to how they mite b right.

destinee: Romans 3:23 says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Yes he is merciful, however this is if you accept Him and believe that Jesus Christ is the reason you have that abundant grace. and we do sin much more than we do rightuess things. bc even every bad thought is a sin.


on Apr. 1 2010 at 3:18 pm
LeannaRose SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
5 articles 6 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself...and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

toxic mokey: i am not trying to force anybody into anything. i am simply trying to get others to realize my views and give consideration to how they mite b right.

destinee: Romans 3:23 says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Yes he is merciful, however this is if you accept Him and believe that Jesus Christ is the reason you have that abundant grace. and we do sin much more than we do rightuess things. bc even every bad thought is a sin.