2 weeks ago, I was standing in front of a clerk at a shoe store trembling. A few geeked youth and I had been praying earlier that night. We felt we were supposed to go to a shoe store by Starbucks and that there would be a blue-eyed young girl who was sick that God wanted to heal. We engaged the female clerk in conversation and something leaped in my spirit. “Do you have a daughter who is sick?” we asked…The response was fantastic: a surprised “Why do you ask?” After our explanation, she stated that her daughter was in extreme pain from an ear infection that started 2 days ago and the antibiotics had not kicked in yet. So we prayed….
All this was started by some youth who were crazy enough to act on what the Bible talks about (and they got a boost from watching the Finger of God video at our small group-you can see it on youtube). They dug in, took a risk, and now are doing this regularly. This has been hugely challenging to me; and it also displays what I think God is forming in the hearts of the youth of this generation: passionate relationship with God. Youth want something, someone real enough to die for….true enough to live for. And they will take the risks necessary…if we let them.
Challenge and be challenged. Love and be loved. May we as youth leaders continue to grow dramatically in our relationship with God through the youth we have the privilege to serve.
“It’s not about do’s and dont’s or about how good we look in front of others! For I am crucified with Christ; my selfish passions are dead and dying. It’s not me who’s doing the living now. It’s the love and sacrifice of Jesus animating my being, infusing life, and spreading life to others. And all this happens by trust-faith that God is doing this in me. I have to let him. I have to let his grace come in.” Galatians 2:19-21, my paraphrase
“We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!” 1 John 3:3-4, the Message
That’s fascinating! It’s about being open to the Holy Spirit, and bold enough to act on what he tells us to do!