Kids these days

When I first applied to work for YouthWorks in the early spring of 2002 (that was a long time ago), I had little to no desire to actually work with youth. What was I thinking? I was thinking about the opportunity to live in a new community, to serve people, to have a cross-cultural experience. Youth ministry wasn't even an afterthought - it wasn't a thought at all for me. Yet one of YouthWorks' core values is that we are "youth minded;" we state "We love teenagers!... We do not believe youth are the church of tomorrow – they are part of the church today. They too, can do God’s work if we invite them to join us."

This is a value that has become engrained in me as I have seen it lived out time and again. I tend to forget that many adults in our society don't place much faith or hope in the youth of today. I also tend to forget how fortunate I am to spend my summers surrounded by teenagers who, for the most part, dispel the stereotypes of their generation. Indeed, I have seen several who truly heed Paul's advice to Timothy to "set an example for all believers."

I must acknowledge, though, and do so with sadness, that for every one who inspires me, there are ten who break my heart. Some are kids who pursue a life of just "getting by" as good Christians - they show up for church, go through the motions, but don't let anything sink in. They all too willingly meander down the wide road that is leading to destruction. Others are lost, wandering this world with no direction and no wise guides. Some have already been overtaken by the lies of Satan and this world, and constantly seek their worth and identity in stuff, in activities, in other people. None of these teenagers are beyond hope or help, but what truly grieves me is how few of them are finding that in their churches.

I am tired of seeing pastors and youth leaders feed their young people a watered down, relativistic gospel when what they so desperately need is good spiritual milk. I am disappointed in adults who abdicate their responsibility as role models and examples for these youth - instead choosing to join them in their frivilous pastimes and mediocre pursuits. I am sick of the fear of offense that keeps us from challenging our youth to live a higher, better, fuller life - that would certainly promise to be more meaningful and fulfilling than anything this fast-paced, consumer-driven, sex-crazed world could offer them.

I find solace and great inspiration in the words of John Piper in his book Don't Waste Your Life (which is a must-read):

"... we do not use the word cool to describe true greatness. It is a small word. That's the point. It's cheap. And it's what millions of young people live for. Who confronts them with urgency and tears? Who pleads with them not to waste their lives? Who takes them by the collar, so to speak, and loves them enough to show them a life so radical and so real and so costly and Christ-saturated that they feel the emptiness and triviality of their CD collection and their pointless conversations about passing celebrities? Who will waken what lies latent in their souls, untapped -- a longing not to waste their lives?"

Indeed, who is confronting these youth with urgency and tears? Sure, plenty are offering them entertainment, friendship, perhaps even a place to feel good about themselves, but how many are being offered the chance to dream about what life could be if they truly pursued things of eternal significance?

Oh Lord, may they taste and see your goodness. Incline their hearts towards you in the days of their youth, that they might come to know you and pursue you, trusting that you are worth more than all else.

Enough said

If you don't point people to God for everlasting joy, you don't love. You waste your life.
- John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

'Til I have words

I need words
As wide as sky
I need language large as
This longing inside
And I need a voice
Bigger than mine
And I need a song to sing You
That I've yet to find
I need You,
Oh, I need You
I need You,
Oh, I need You
To be here now
To be here now
To hear me now
To hear me now
"I need words" - David Crowder


Lately life has taken place in moments. There are snapshots of clarity, moments of brilliance or keen emotion. So much is taking place around me - at four YouthWorks sites, in four communities, in the lives of people I care about elsewhere, not to mention what is going on in my own heart and mind. I feel like everything inside of me can't keep up with what's going on around me, and as a result I know I've missed things - opportunities to pray, to praise, to pause and worship God.



I've been unable to verbalize, to articulate, to put into words what I am experiencing, and as a result I feel disconnected from these very experiences. I don't know why the words haven't come; it has not been for lack of time or trying. God has been gracious though, to give me something to grasp onto: songs. A few songs have consistently been in my head over the past six weeks of the summer, and as I've heard them in my head or hummed them while I washed dishes or belted them out in the car, they have brought both comfort and conviction, and allowed me some small outlet for all that is so nebulous within me.



Dearly we're bought
Highly esteemed
Redeemed by Jesus blood, redeemed
"Dearly we're bought" - Joseph Hart (Red Mountain Church, The Gadsby Project)

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You
"Captivate Us" - Watermark

‘cause i haven’t come for only you
but for my people to pursue
you cannot care for me with no regard for her
if you love me you will love the church
"The Church" - Derek Webb

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
"Mighty to Save" - Hillsong

I will continue singing these songs as I pray and trust that God will bring clarity and direction for my own words one of these days.

Oh, I need You
To be here now
To be here now
To hear me now
To hear me now