Something dawned on me while I was preaching yesterday.
It was the final week of our worship series based on the General Rules for Methodists. We reflected on "Stay in love with God." It felt like an appropriate time to share how I came to faith.
I share that story every so often. This week, I told the church I do it so they know that faith in Jesus is something I have experienced--that was an important theme of the message.
When I was telling the story, I mentioned having a lot of anger and pain as a teenager as I wrestled with a heavy question: Why was I still around in the world?
As I said those words, a thought came to me.
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| This AI stuff is wild :) |
Maybe that's a reason I've always been drawn to youth ministry. I remember that struggle and horrible feeling like you didn't need to be around. That's something I don't want anyone to worry about.
And haven't we seen that more and more over the last decade or so? More young people battle with suicidal thoughts, and the pressure of it all feels like too much. And a lot of those kids feel like they don't have anyone who cares enough to notice what they're going through.
I have long said I hope I never outgrow the desire and ability to work with youth. I want to be a 90-year-old youth volunteer who's around to tell every kid they are loved and cherished.
Sometimes, there's a lot of other stuff going on in my mind as I'm preaching!
Stay blessed...john
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