The movie, “To Save A Life” was little known or talked about. An independent film put out by Outreach Films, written and directed by a California youth pastor, came out Jan. 15 in a theater in Lafayette. It has already left the theater with Avatar still going strong.

Hutson I took over 40 teens from our community to see this film and we represented half of the crowd in attendance. I was not as sad about this fact until we saw how good the movie was.

It portrayed the life of teens with the pressures to drink, have sex, be cool with their friends, to ignore former friends, the honest feeling of loneliness and their need to be accepted. The film portrayed all of these pressures and feelings so realistically.

Many of the teens said, “Yeah, this movie depicted the way things happen at high school right now.”

If our teens are telling it right, then there is a widespread loneliness that is invading our young people. A generation that many say is more “connected” than any other generation but for some reason are feeling more and more isolated when it comes to friendships. This generation has phones at their fingertips to call or text any friend they want or update their status on Facebook to say “Text me!”

So I write these words for a few reasons. First, if you have a teen in your house or you teach teens in some way and have not seen this film, find it in a theater or buy/rent it as soon as it comes out on DVD. You need to see what kinds of pressures and feelings your teens go through many days of the week. Then, I challenge you to talk with them about these topics and see which ones apply to them more frequently.

Second, if you know a youth who is dealing with depression or feeling lonely, this is a great film to watch with them. It will validate their feelings and help them to know that others can care. Many students feel alone and isolated and there is more many of us can do to help them feel loved, accepted and important.

Third, it is a good film that shows a teen that cares nothing about God and how one event in his life sends him looking for “answers.” Many teens in our community have big events happening in their life far more often than they should and many are looking for “answers.”

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31.

Next time you have the chance, pull a teen aside and take time to listen to them and see how they are doing in life and in faith. Believe me, the teen will probably be shocked at first and will not say much. But give them time and be genuine in your concern and they will eventually share about their struggles in life and faith. When many adults begin to do this, we will be living out a Christian faith to our teens that they need to see and experience. A life of faith that says, “You matter to God.”

Micah Hudson is the youth pastor at the Delphi United Methodist Church.