“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NASB)
Youth workers at churches are special people. They sacrifice their time to teach youth the Scriptures, but also to train them to be successful at their present age and as they advance into the future. Thank God for these devoted workers, Christian mentors in the full sense of the term. They don’t just fill a position, but they look for opportunities to foster the right kind of thinking processes. They use everyday circumstances to relate to the youth and to raise their self-esteem, and to persevere, working with whatever they had.
Here is an example of the latter. The Youth Director takes a group of boys out on an overnight camping trip. The only things that the boys had to bring was some insect spray, a soft pillow, a blanket, and a flashlight. Yes, they were going to rough it. The Youth Director provided the food and prepared the campfire. There was fun and games, a devotional time, and some teaching time planned. The flashlights were for a hike during the late, dark hours of the night.
Before the hike, the Youth Director told the boys to get their flashlights and meet around the campfire. The boys come back with their flashlights, varying in types, ranging from small dollar store flashlights to the typical size flashlights. One of the campers brought a serious tactical type of flashlight, a state-of-the-art LED flashlight. Another camper had a handheld flashlight that was more like a spotlight.
The boys started comparing flashlights, and of course, the inevitable debates started, centered around the color of the flashlights, the size of the flashlights, and the brightness emitted by the flashlights. Just when the debate was about ready to elevate into a hotly contested argument, the Youth Director stepped in and stopped the discussion. Pause: Did I already say, “Thank God for these devoted individuals?” Back to the story. The Youth Director has the boys sit down and he seized the opportunity to take advantage of a teaching moment; an opportunity perfectly staged with objects for an excellent lesson. He said, “You all have lights. They may differ, but they all provide illumination.” He goes on to say, “Work with what you have. Somebody’s little flashlight just might be what will be needed to help others on our walk; just as somebody’s bigger flashlight may help others avoid danger. No matter what type of flashlight you have, work with what you have.” The Youth Director is not done teaching yet. He continues with the campers giving him their undivided attention, “In Sunday School you have been taught about God’s word providing light. Some of you know more from the Bible than others. Don’t worry! You will keep learning throughout life! But on your hike through this Christian journey, everywhere you go, use the light that you do have! Use what you do have hidden in your heart from the word of God! Your light is needed. Again, I say, ‘Work with what you have.’ Oh, increase your light power as you grow, increase your illumination capability, but right now you can do somebody some good with the light you have.” The Youth Director was done with his impromptu teaching. Peace had been restored and purpose had replaced contention.
The campers went on with their lights shining and their faces were now shining bright. That was the end result of the Youth Director’s timeout, campfire edification. How will you go forward today? Will you work with what you have? I pray that you do. Have a great Saturday and as always, be reminded that tomorrow is when the saints assemble together at their place of worship. Be in the assembly at your church, okay? Be blessed!
“Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.” (Psalm 119:130 Contemporary English Version)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King