It can feel hard to relate to those of a younger generation at times. We might feel like we don’t understand them or that we have nothing in common. However, in my experience, all that matters with any relationship, whether it’s with our family, partner, friend, stranger, someone younger or someone older is that we are authentic. All they want is for us to be ourselves and listen to them.
The world we see around us is not the way God intended it to be. However, He wants to bring light to the whole world, through his Son. How amazing that God wants to partner with us to do this! We carry Jesus’ presence with us wherever we go because the Holy Spirit is in us. When we meet anyone, including young people, we have hope to offer them (spoiler: He’s called Jesus).
As a church family, each of us is part of the body of Christ and has our role to play. It doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 80, as I said before, I think all that matters is your willingness to listen and be yourself. This can transform the world of a child or a young person.
Is there a young person in your life who you could be Jesus to?
Ever thought of getting involved with children & youth work?
Let me know if you have any questions: charlotte@oakscc.org.uk
Reflect
Steve shared his ups and downs of doing youth work, wrestling with whether he has anything to offer the youngsters. He felt these verses from 1 Corinthians 9 were relevant for him in his youth work and challenged us to reflect and be open to what the Holy Spirit might be saying to us through these words:
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
– 1 Corinthians 9:19-23