By our love

I am grateful for a week with students at camp.  I love them already but being with these rascals 24/7 actually grows that love.  They're hilarious.  They're silly.  They're thoughtful...my goodness are they thoughtful.  They love Jesus and they want to follow him.  They love one another.  They even get angry for the right reasons.  It's pretty awesome.  

Sometimes adults pull a "get off my lawn" attitude with students.  Yes they throw things.  Yes they eat amazing amounts of candy.  Yes they can be distracted easily.  But (and this is a big but and yes that STILL makes me laugh) they are also generous.  They want to do right.  They love fully.  They want to make a difference.  They want to follow Jesus.  They listen and I even think they are respectful.  

PASSPORT has introduced several new songs to us.  One is "By Our Love" by Christy Nockels.  It's a challenge for sisters and brothers in Christ to be known by love.  That's what we all should want, right?  Is that what we want?  I hope so.  

The first verses are sung in first person, but the final verse is addressed to children--asking them to stand in God's truth, to reach beyond their comfort zones, to be known by love.  And I think it's asking we trust they will do just that.  Do you trust the next generation to carry the gospel message?

If that's difficult for you I'd like you to try something.  Get to know a teenager.  I'm not asking you if you've seen a student:  I'm asking you to know him.  Find out which sports she plays.  Call out his name when you pass by him on the way to Sunday School.  Stop by the youth room--even if it smells like pizza and teenager poke your head inside and tell a joke.  Call a student on his birthday.  Pray for all students of your church.  Every day.

Even if you're not called to youth ministry please please please invest yourself in the life of a teenager.  Think about it this way:  It's an investment in future deacons, lay people, pastors and churches.  It's that important, friends.  

Catch the pillow when they throw it at you:  It'll be okay. Take time to know them and be part of their lives.  Then they will know you by Christ's love.  And in turn they'll want to be known by Christ's love.

Take a listen to the song.  It will bless you.

  

Thanks PASSPORT.