Being in youth ministry, and having not been here for very long (only 6 years as a leader, and 2 of those being as the youth director's wife), I learn a lot of lessons. Almost weekly I learn something new, sometimes daily!
Not all of these lessons are easy to learn. Some I learn from the students. Their fire for God that never goes out, keeps me going some days.They inspire me!
I was thinking about how so many students will come to Jeremey or myself in bits because they just don't feel close to God, they know they aren't spending enough time with him, or some kind of sneaky little sin has crept in and taken the place of God in their lives that week. They want prayer. They want to overcome. They are nearly DESPERATE to find out how to get God back at His number ONE spot in their life.
I have been asking myself why most adults aren't so desperate. What happens to us? Over the years we just get jaded. We forget about that first fire we had when God lit up our lives and everything else seemed pointless. We get caught up marriage, confused by relationships gone wrong, bitter over continuous hurts...and we can't crack the hard shell of a rock that has encrusted itself over our hearts to even begin caring about God anymore....
... or life is grand and we don't need God anymore. We have made a life for ourselves complete with the house on the nice side of town, the car that every family wants, kids in the perfect sports, and a shiny smile & wardrobe to boot. Our husbands have well established careers, our children all know how to behave in public, yet no one knows who we TRULY are. Behind the closed doors of our perfectly landscaped home. We don't even know anymore. But one thing is for sure...with so much confidence in our stuff, why would we need the type of faith that is utterly desperate, that has to rely on Him?
In some ways, we as adults have forgotten how to be kids. We have forgotten how to be teenagers even. To feel the actual perils of our soul in the balance when we know that our life has gotten off kilter. We have forgotten how to sacrifice everything just because we don't want to forfeit the one thing that matters-faith.
I have seen a teenager give up his entire wardrobe just because he realized having so many clothes was selfish. I have seen another give his entire summer's pay wholeheartedly and without anyone else knowing entirely to missions. (except Jeremey & I, who saw the check that night in the offering- and probably his parents.) I have seen teenagers walk away from friends who were robbing them of their joy and filling their lives with darkness. I have seen teenagers face down, or on their knees, or worshiping at an altar every Wednesday for so long that our service always goes over and parents have to wait. I have seen them weep over unsaved friends and loved ones, and I mean really the ugly cry kind of weep. I have seen them relentlessly chase after God begging him to reveal His will, to give them a mission, to use them in their life.
If only we could let go like they do. If only we could forget our responsibilities in some sense for a moment like they do and trust God. I mean really trust Him. If only we would walk away from houses, cars, and all the things we fill our lives with that take God's place. If we would give like they do. If we would weep over people with compassion knowing that their souls are on the line. If we would actually dare to ask God what He wants from us. If we would be brave enough to consider listening to the answer, and doing what He says. If only more of us would acts like teenagers...
