It’s 10:00 pm on a Sunday. And I am somewhat exhausted and completely refreshed. God blew up this weekend. And I was witness to it. And so blessed.
I have served in the youth group hanging out with high school students for the past two years.
It has been such a delight to laugh with (sometimes at) youth and youth leaders (and myself), battle in epic Chinese ping pong games with 20+ people, ramble on in small group discussions, see my girls grow in confidence in the Lord and themselves and be challenged in my own walk.
It has been so heart tugging at times to learn the stories behind the faces of the youth, to watch as they stock up on pizza and cookies for later because there is nothing to eat at home and to hear the heartache and confusion in their voices when they recall events that left them without a dad, taught them sin has consequences or that life is difficult.
I have been asked to love kids that try to make it difficult because they do not think they are worth it, and they do not know that they were loved far beyond the time they were born. I have been confused as to what I am supposed to be doing or teaching. But, I have been able to share my heart with these kids. And speak life. And encourage the girls to be woman that boldly seek the Lord. My group is honest and open with each other. Tears release healing that is only found in the Lord and smiles reveal that God is bringing new life.
And this weekend, I was blessed again by our Papa, who continues to prove He knows what we need and gives good things to His children.
This weekend was Ignite, a Disciple Now type weekend where our kids from 3 separate youth groups join together to learn, worship and experience the Lord in a packed weekend of fellowship, late nights and early mornings, Spirit filled group sessions and exhausted leaders. Our youth group is heavy with leaders and this weekend we added 20+ more with the addition of Liberty University’s YouthQuest team. They ran group sessions and small groups, mentored the youth, brought new energy to the leaders and ushered in a spirit of joy and worship with hilarious improv and worship sets. And this weekend, the Holy Spirit showed up.
Kids arrived Friday excited and full of energy from knowing that school was out for the weekend. They filed into the auditorium and laughed with the skits, stood during worship and paid an expected amount of attention to the sermon. And we dispersed to the various incredible host homes and families for the weekend. [A shout out to the Bedrock families that showered our student ministry with places to sleep, showers, great food and an opportunity share in the family that is Bedrock (thank you especially to those hosting middle school boys)]. The night finished off with a small group session and my girls surprisingly went to sleep at a usual hour. Praise Jesus!
The next morning sprang forward and I watched as the youth groups fell into a common step and kids interacted with unusual zeal. And the worship set featured voices in the room that are ordinarily quieter. The session continued with a focus in Galatians and eliminating the idols and counterfeit gods we allow in our life. I could tell kids and leaders alike were thinking, pensive about their hearts. The day continued with an intense and crazy car chase around our sleepy little town. And surprisingly, I do not remember seeing any cop cars, which is rare and evidence of the Lord’s hand : )
The night session started with the zany and impressive improv team. And the worship set was powerful. And I watched as kids seemed to forget they were supposed to be “cool” or that the previous night’s songs had found them barely moving their lips. The room filled with voices and the freedom to praise, abandoning the expected behavior when worshipping with teenage peers. The presence of the Holy Spirit was heavy in the room. And after a bold message of being thankful, humble, and moved by the Lord, I watched as teen after teen surrendered themselves and their struggles before the Lord.
I moved to the front and bowed with two girls in my group, laying hands on them and thanking God for His presence in their lives. And when I opened up my eyes and looked around several minutes later, was blown away. What started with the movement of two girls, had spread to through the room. And all around people were being prayed for by youth and leaders alike. Tears stained cheeks of boys and girls alike. And I realized, mine.
The stories of these girls and other youth are filled with the typical questions of youth – acceptance, approval, identity and image. The lives are marked with events and struggles that continue to evoke questions of worth, pain, sadness and uncertainty. But this weekend, brought the beginning of healing. It brought confirmation that God sees His children and pursues the one of 99. The auditorium last night was filled with royalty stepping into it for the first time. Sons and daughters recognizing that God sees no mess or sin too large for Him to handle.
And it was completely refreshing to be there. And to be reminded myself.
