(I've been writing this since summer time and I finally figured out how to post title. Go me!)
I love to see the body of Christ working together. Rather than being catagorized in our seperate buildings, I believe the most profound impact happens when all the saints join together and storm hell's gates side-by-side. This was the goal of the first (hopefully) annual Youth Rally. Several youth pastors in the area joined together behind a vision of a town-wide rally, with worship, teaching, and games. My own part in the rally was minimal but I was blessed to be a part of the evening. After meetings, lots of prayer, and a few hours of prep-work, the doors to the Expo Center were opened and, bit by bit, 105 kids filtered in from all over the area. Most belonged to youth groups but 15 were unchurched. The Holy Spirit met us there, and the True, Living Gospel was preached passionately to kids who never thought that excitement and God could exist in the same context. Now we have contact information for all of the kids and the youth pastors can divide-and-conquer on follow-ups. The movement of the Holy Spirit is so much bigger than my little youth group in my little church. He is drawing broken people back to Himself. I continue to pray for revival in this dry town, and I am blessed to see that I am not alone in this prayer, nor is God slow hear us.
Tonight is our second 5th Quarter. Got to be completely honest on this one, I don't really want to go tonight. I'd much rather be in bed or working on homework. But I know, I know, that this is an important aspect of ministry as well. We are providing a place for kids to be themselves, to build relationships, to be safe and independent and have fun. Having a party within the doors of a church blasts away the lie that God is dull. There are more opportunites for teachable moments in daily living together. It provides a bridge to welcome them to our regualr youth meetings, where they are sure to have the gospel preached to them again and again.
Whenever I need assurance that I am doing good here, God is faithful to provide it. At youth group last night, one of my students had a shining moment. We were in small groups discussing how religions are not all the same, and that Jesus really is the only way to God. One student respectfully disagrees, insisting that if I were Muslim, for example, then I would get to God by being a good Muslim. After trying and failing to use words to prove to him the law of noncontradiction, I ultimately pick up my pencil and draw a simple stick-figure sketch, illustrating man, God, and the cross in between. "God would be very cruel or very stupid to let his Son die if there was any other way." And the lightbulb went on. Beyond finally understanding, this student's face lit up, in excitement he raised his voice: "Oh! I get it now!! I've always wondered that!" Of course Jesus is the only way! Armed with this new conviction, we went on to discuss who he could share the good news with and why it makes a difference.
I've been told that if you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I love this job, but that is not true. It's hard work to love. It's not easy for this reserved introvert to work up the energy to pour out enthusiasm and joy whenever its required of me. And sometimes, even when I lightbulbs do go off, I'm not automatically filled with energizing joy that carries me thorugh the rest of a long day. But it is absolutely worth it. Beyong a doubt, loving God's people is always worth it.
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