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.