A ZOMBIE
One of the toughest things about going back to school (besides Mystery Meat Wednesdays) is the big shift from Summer Life to School Life. One day, you get up at the crack of noon for a day full of "Whatever." But the very next day, you're expected to be up before that bird who's always getting all the worms. On top of that, your day of "Whatever" is now replaced by seven hours of classes, four hours of homework, and three hours of underwater lacrosse practice.

Schoologists (scientists dedicated to the study of school behavior) say that the closest thing to this sudden change is what happens to movie zombies. OK, I made that up. But think about it: One day they are all lively and breathing, walking down the street thinking, Tee hee, I am alive. To stay that way, I will eat something like oat bran, broccoli or chocolate chip cookies. The next day, they're the evil dead, still walking around but now thinking, Brains! BRAINS! Their reality, like that of the common high school student every fall, has completely shifted.

But one thing stays the same for the zombie: their focus. As living humans, they had to eat. As zombies, they've got to eat. Everything else is different, but their focus stays the same. And that's pretty admirable.* In fact, in times of change, we need to be as laser-focused as a zombie. No matter how our lives change or get busy, we need to keep our focus on Christ. Don't let quiet times, prayer and devos get lost in your new schedule. Instead, pursue God with the focus of a zombie hunting for yummy brains. Keep a set time each day to worship God with body, spirit and mind. That's a far better way to use your brains than feeding an evil—although very focused—zombie.

A ROBOT
There's a lot to like about robots. Laser eyes. Changeable arm attachments. But one thing that'd be handy in high school (besides that eye beam) is their complete consistency. In any situation, a robot will react the same way—as he's programmed. He's who he is. Period. Peer pressure just bounces off his hyper-alloy exoskeleton. He doesn't easily change. (Unless he's put in water; then he freaks out.)

So, while humans may be better at underwater lacrosse, they aren't so good at being consistent. We act like chameleons: At home, we're one person, another at school, another at youth group, or another on MySpace. I asked an expert why this happens (OK, I talked to my mom), and she said it's normal because we're only human.

But wouldn't it be great if we could be exactly who God created us to be anywhere, anytime? To live godly lives in public and in private? And show others God's truth by living it out consistently? (Answers: Yes, Yes and Yes.)

During the summer, we feel at ease to just be ourselves. We go to church camp or take a missions trip and grow closer to God. We pledge to live for God no matter what. And at home, that's pretty easy. But at school, there's pressure to be this or that. We want to impress people. We want to talk the way others talk, do as they do. We too easily want to change to our environment. And sometimes that means changing who we are.

That's why I want the consistency of a robot (well, that and the turbo-booster feet). As a well-programmed robot, I could more easily be the same person (er, android) everywhere. Even on Mars, where I'd use my built-in rocket launcher to battle giant alien insects! (OK, that has nothing to do with my point. I just thought it was cool.)

THE APOSTLE PAUL
OK, so the Apostle Paul doesn't really fit in with robots or zombies. He isn't built of space titanium or on the hunt for brains. But he does have some things going for him. You know, he wrote a ton of the New Testament. He's one of Christianity's first missionaries. But he's not just Paul, Man of Faith. He's also Paul, Man of Action. He gives the Bible one of its coolest chase scenes (in Acts 9). I mean, who else escapes a band of killers by riding in a basket? He also survived a big shipwreck that left him stranded on an island (Acts 27-28). It's like he was the original star of Lost! Sorta.

Anyway, the thing about Paul was that no matter what happened, or what went wrong, he still praised God for it and looked for ways God would use it. Locked in prison, he sung praise songs (Acts 16:22-25). Shipwrecked, he spread God's Word. He didn't look out for his own gain, but for God's (Acts 16:25-33).

So, what would Paul be like in high school? I imagine him arriving to math class by being lowered through the window in a basket. Maybe that's just me. But we can all agree that being like Paul would change anyone's high school days.

If I were like Paul, I wouldn't focus on the bad stuff at my school. I'd focus on God. I'd just pray about everything I see that's negative.

I wouldn't look out for my own good, but God's. I might be taped to a goal post, but still praising God for it. I'd trust God could use it for his glory.

I'd never dread interactions with non-believers. When sex talk starts in the locker room or someone's a jerk in the halls, I'd view these situations as opportunities to both share and imitate Christ (something Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 11:1).

And maybe the coolest thing about being Paul in my high school is, well, I'd have a pulse—something zombies and robots lack.

*Editor's Note: IYF does not endorse brain eating.

Read more from 'Faith & Values'

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