"And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Mark 8:34
This post has been a long time coming, but something reminded me again of the fact that I am very thankful for crazy groups like Young Life. I helped some YLers chaperone a high school formal at the end of last semester and I again realized how awkward and dramatic (and traumatic) high school really is. And yet, groups of college kids all across the country (backed by all of the support staff- directors, boards, teachers, parents, churches) choose to spend many hours of their weeks and semesters in ministry to these emotionally charged kids, giving up time that could be spent with friends, working for college bills, extra studying, or resume building clubs and activities.
High school is that weird age where everyone expects to you act like an adult and yet they won't let you have the responsibilities/privileges of being one. Parents and teachers often talk down to these kids as though their feelings and opinions don't matter. Truth is, their feelings and opinions do matter- to themselves. At a very fragile and transitional period of high schooler's lives, these YLers devote their efforts to giving young kids the answer to all their hopes, dreams, fears and desires- Jesus Christ. They have a unique position to meet these kids at their level and yet still maintain a leadership role in their lives. It's so awesome to see them all interact.
So to all my YL friends out there- praise God for this ministry.
