Christ is calling the youth

Today as of writing is my 31st birthday. A year into my 30s and I feel very old. You reading this may scoff at this youngsters statement, but I do feel old. That’s because I work in youth ministry, and many of the people I see on a weekly basis are, well, youth. They’re teenagers, 12-18 years old. And they’re awesome. I am so proud of each and every one of them, because I can see them growing in the faith. It was subtle at first, but the seeds of the Gospel have been planted, and we are seeing those seeds take root and burst forth from the heart. They are laying down the old self and taking on the new self they are finding in Christ. It’s exciting to see them begin their journey of living out Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (ESV). What this means is the pursuit of purity, the pursuit of righteousness. Not to be confused with working for salvation, the pure in heart are blessed because they are seeking God in every aspect of their life. On a weekly basis, I am speaking to a student who is examining their heart and seeing what is not glorifying to God, and want help cutting it out. Their introspectiveness is more vast than most adults I meet, and their actions to stop their behavior is swifter than most adults as well. It’s an odd phenomenon to witness. They are seeking to live righteous lives that honor what Jesus Christ did for them on the Cross, and that is something worth celebrating. In fact, this past Sunday, we baptized more students than we did adults. Students in this valley are beginning to flock to Christ, and I am not the only one witnessing this. Other youth pastors I speak to are reporting the same thing. Christ is here in the valley, and he is calling the youth by name. And the best part is they are responding, and are in need to being discipled. I feel old at 31, but I have small group leaders in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. They see the youth coming to Christ, and want to be part of their lives. They want to help them grow in the faith and be with them in their pursuit of righteousness. Consider getting involved in your youth ministry, you aren’t too old, and you won’t regret it.

Christopher Robinson is the Youth Director of High Sierra Fellowship.