Every once in a while a line from a song jumps out of the radio and speaks to my heart, and sometimes it’s even from a Top 40 song. Right now, the line that I can’t get out of my head is from the song “Raise Your Glass” by Pink.

Before I go on, an important disclaimer: I am not promoting the song’s lyrics (which contain some profanity) nor its message (which can appear to promote excessive partying); rather, I just want to share how one line of the song has really made me stop & think. Perhaps the line I like will get stuck in your head, too…

If you’re too school for cool
And you’re treated like a fool…

The reason this line makes me think is because when I was growing up I fell into the trap of being “too cool for school.” I let other, often very unhealthy, pursuits overshadow my academic commitments. I have a lot of regrets about that.

But Pink has turned that phrase upside down, referencing those who are “too school for cool” and I want to give a shout out to those people. Those who are too school for cool are among the people that I now admire the most, because I think this phrase refers to those who are too smart to do what the world considers cool – especially excessive partying – and would rather focus on their holiness, family and academic pursuits than the fleeting rush that comes from doing what is popular.

The song’s title is “Raise Your Glass” and honestly I have been reflecting a lot lately on underage drinking. I frequently hear from teens how strong the temptations are to drink, and I have the utmost respect for those who have the courage to resist this powerful peer pressure – they are indeed “too school for cool.”

To illustrate my point, check out this recent article in The Washington Post that cites a study indicating that alcohol is more lethal than heroin or cocaine.

Teens frequently try to convince me that underage drinking is no big deal, and I understand how one could believe that – because I felt the same way when I was a teen. But experience has shown me that it really is a big deal, and I could tell you countless stories of lives that have been broken & destroyed by excessive alcohol consumption. And I bet you could tell me some stories, too.

I consider underage drinking comparable to playing Russian roulette. Although teens might tell us that they have played this game many times and no one has ever gotten hurt, we must remind them that it is a dangerous game that shouldn’t be played. Ever. Because the fact is, they are playing with a loaded gun, and any round could be their last – causing immeasurable damage not only to them and their friends but to the entire community.

Has there ever been a time that a line from a song you heard on the radio has spoken to your heart, like this line has done to mine? And, one more question for us and our teens – are we “too cool for school” or “too school for cool”? May we never tire of calling our young people to the holiness they were created for.

Related Resources:

• Is Underage Drinking a Sin?
• Under The Influence: a Life Night on Drugs and Alcohol