On Mondays I recently started hanging out with Junior High girls from our youth group. After school, they walk on over to our place (one of the benefits of being within a few blocks of the middle and high school!).
Typically, there are about 8 girls that come, full of giggles and energy after sitting at a desk all day. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this... I knew I'd received nudgings from the Holy Spirit to do this. It was a step of obedience. God's Wod has been "sharper than a two-edged sword" in my life. When I rebelled against Him and preferred to do my own thing to satisfy my own pleasures and lusts, I was aware of what His Word said. Often times, I ignored it and still do, but it never fails to pierce and shape my mind and heart. It's imperative to be in God's Word, as His children. He reveals Himself to us through it. And Satan, our accuser, throws lies at us constantly- we have to be equipped with the "sword" He's given us.
I want these girls to be equipped. I want their lives to be "built on the rock," rather than on sand. I know that pain, pride, sin, lies, and trials will test their faith, and they will have a choice- a choice to walk the narrow, difficult path of obedience and faith; or to do what's right in their own eyes. And I pray they choose faith and obedience... there's so much reward in it.
And so on Mondays they come... and they guzzle lemonade like they've been in the dessert for weeks. And I limit the cookies they devour so they'll still have room for supper. And we laugh, we memorize Scripture together, we play Bible games, share stories, read the Bible together, they ask questions, and we pray. I hope it's strengthening them in their faith and that God's using me to bless them.
They've been a huge blessing to me. I think as adults we can be so guarded. We guard our tongues and our actions; we can lose our sense of humor and our transparency. We think we have to have it all together. We don't open ourselves up to others and don't "expect the best of each other" (1 Corinthains 13:7). It's refreshing to hear their honesty... to witness their trust. To listen to their laughter over things I've forgotten to laugh about.
But my heart is reminded of the struggles they face at school. It brings back memories of my middle school days- the days I'd rather forget- days filled with bullies, the obsession over clothes, peer pressure, popularity, egos, the list goes on... They deal with tough things that could potentially eat them alive.
As adults, are we coming alongside them? Are we discipling our youth? Are we letting them ask questions and willing to give them honest answers? Are we challenging them with God's Word and showing them Christ's love? This isn't a job just for youth pastors or camp staff... it's a priviledge and opportunity we have as followers of Christ.
