Last night we had what was pretty much my last youth fellowship since we are moving in three weeks. We meet every other Friday so I don't see the kids every week in that setting, although I see them at church all the time so I've learned a bit about each of them and their unique, quirky personalities. We played Taboo (the game the youth have come to love...and become good at, hehe), then I shared a bible study lesson on Abraham's faith (which I know can't be captured in one one-hour lesson) in particular living by faith during times in our lives when we don't know why something is happening or what will happen next. Then we shared our prayer requests and closed in prayer. On the surface it wasn't any different from other fellowships that we've had. But inside, I felt a difference.
I am sad to be leaving them not because I'm worried about what will happen to the group, I'm not, but because although I've been at Solid Rock for two or so years, I feel that it is only now that I am really starting to get to know them and to see their need for godly people in their life that they can relate to and be transparent with, especially since they are older than when I first met them (they've transitioned from tweens to teens). I've never laughed so much with (and at) them in the whole time that I've known them as much as I did last night. Back in 2006 when the group was first formed, the youth weren't even youth yet. I struggled with God in how I could minister to these kids who were much younger than the age group I had previously worked with and had grown a comfortability with. I felt like I didn't know how to relate to them, much less teach them God's Word in a way that they could grasp and apply to their lives. I honestly felt inadequate. But what God wanted to do was to teach me to depend on Him for what He could and would do in the present, not solely on what He did in the past and on what I found worked for me in the past. He is so much bigger than the box we tend to put him in! God whispered, "Give them your time and I'll do the rest." So we started to meet together every other Friday and, by His grace, have continued to do so. The Lord inspired me with what to teach through His Word, and gave me the words to say as I taught. And today I can say with all my heart back to Him that His words "will not return empty but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent" (Is. 55:11).
There is a vibrant, joyous faith that characterizes the youth of Solid Rock. They are young but they have joy and that is something you don't often see among young people today. I know it's because they know Jesus and desire to grow in their knowledge and love for Him. Last night we talked about having faith like Abraham; faith that believes even when results don't happen right away; faith that trusts God despite insurmountable odds; and faith that waits. I have experienced a testing of my faith (and continue to do so every day) and God has proved Faithful every time. I believe with all my heart that because these youth belong to God and because He is the one who put this group together, He will be faithful to complete the work He started and whisper opportunities of service in the ears of the willing and obedient.
To the youth, I will miss you. I pray that your faith in the Lord will not waver as the changes in life will tempt it to. You are dearly loved by the Lord and I hope that you will let Him show you just how much He loves you each day of your life.
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