More than "Good Citizens"

"You're such a good person for working with those kids, mentoring them, and teaching them how to be 'good citizens'". I hear this kind of thing all the time from people that don't understand why I'm in youth ministry. I get really frustrated that people see what I do like this. If all I'm doing is helping to produce good, moral, citizens, then I've missed the mark completely.

I was meeting with one of our girls small group leaders a few weeks ago and she asked me about my vision for our small group ministry. I thought about it for a minute, and responded. I want our students to be captivated by the heart of their creator. I want them to be more than just good citizens. I want them to be more than just moral people. I want tham to be more than the good kids at school. There is so much more that I pray for and desire for them. I see such great potential in our middle school students. I believe that God has more in mind for this next generation of Christ followers. I desire for them to be radically changed by God. I desire that their actions are determined by a heart that is passionately drawn to God's heart. I want to see them do things for the kingdom of God that I can't even imagine.

All of this makes me think about the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong United that say:
I see a generation,
rising up to take their place,
with selfless faith, with selfless faith

I see a near revival,
stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

When I hear these lyrics, it makes me want to pull everyone into our middle school room on a Sunday morning and tell them to look at the next generation. These are the next kingdom workers. These are the people that will carry on the faith of Christ to the generation after them. Our students will be the ones who could start great movement and revival in the world. Such great potential!

What our middle school ministry volunteers do is more than just producing "good citizens". Their job in our ministry is so much more than that. We are more than just mentors, we are examples of Christ followers. We have been given the task to equip our students so they do not believe everything the world trys to throw at them. The world very much tells us that if you make good grades, don't get caught, go to church, don't cuss too often, and do some charitable work here and there, you're a good person, and you'll go to heaven. Wow! I hope that's not the message we are teaching.

moving forward....

I definitely think that God uses music to speak to me. He affirms what I'm reading in scripture, and the things that I go through during my day. It may be because I go a million miles per hour during the day, and I usually spend at least an hour in my car with the radio on. I guess I'm a captive audience in my car. I wish I was more obedient to sit and listen in the quiet and wait upon the Lord, but I if chooses to use song lyrics, I'll take it!

I don't want to be in a place where I'm not pressing forward in my walk with Christ. I always want to be wanting more of Him and his character. I know it won't constantly be this way everyday of the week, because there are days when I breeze through my day just trying to get things off my To Do list. I want this to be the same with my relationships with the people in my life. I want to be going deeper. I want to know more of who they are, their desires, their passions.

I'm at a place in my life where God is showing me the different and new ways he wants to use me. I feel like I am truly understanding why God brought me to serve in middle school ministry. I'm settling into my role and seeing how God's timing is perfect. It feels like a new and exciting season for me. God has put me in situations in the past months, that a year ago, I would not have been willing to deal with. The conversations have been hard, the situations difficult, but God has baby stepped me through every single one of them. I am so grateful for His faithfulness in my life! I am thankful for the times of waiting, refining, and tears. You never can imagine what is on the other side of all the pain until you get there. My life has not be completely perfected by any means, but I love the deeper places God has brought me to.

I feel like the lyrics of the song "Moving Forward" by Israel Houghton resonate with me.

What a moment You have brought me to.
Such a freedom I have found in You.
You're the healer who makes all things new.
Yeah, yeah, yeah!

I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead.
I'm here to declare to you my past is over.
In You all things are made new. Surrendered
My Life to Christ. I'm Moving, Moving Forward.

You have risen with all power in Your hand.
You have given me a second chance.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead.
I'm here to declare to you my past is over.
In You all things are made new. Surrendered
My Life to Christ. I'm Moving, Moving Forward.

You make all Things new.
Yes, you make all things new and I will Follow You forward.

I will follow you forward.....

I'm not going back. I'm moving forward in all places in my life. My relationship with Christ, my friendships, Christ ministry through me- they are all moving forward. He truly makes ALL things new! I am beyond grateful for that! Praise the Lord for the restoration he brings, the healing that's in his hand, and the way he uses such a broken vessel to do his work.