I need you there!
Five years ago when I was teaching the 7-8th grade Sunday school, I had all of the students write a letter to themselves saying why they will continue going to church after high school. This week, I am mailing those very letters to the students who are seniors this year. All of the letters were sealed when we wrote them and I vowed never to read them, and I never did. So, I don’t know what they say. Some of them could very well say, “I’m not going to continue going to church”, but I hope that is not the case.
My hope in sending these students their own reasons for staying in church will remind them of a couple of things. First, at least at one point in their lives they had valid reasons for finding church necessary. Second, at least one other person thinks it is important for them to be there, namely me. I know that there are many adults who desire and want these young people to continue going to church and I hope you are telling them as well. I don’t know why you want them there, but for me, I need them there. In fact, not just them, I need all of you there.
Growing in faith is something that is hard to do alone. Our faith is not one of rationality – it is not exactly reasonable to believe that God came as a baby, grew up, died, and was resurrected all for my sake. On my own, this very Truth becomes easier and easier to doubt. We live in a world of reason, after all. But, when I come to church and see all of the people who have gathered to worship the Lord (who has in fact done these very unreasonable things for me), my faith is strengthened. I need you at church with me so my faith will grow, and I’ll be there so yours may as well.
So, thank you, Youth, for being a part of my faith and thank you Lord of Love for the same. Ask each other why you come to church and include the youth in those conversations. I look forward to the next time I can worship Jesus Christ with you.
Paula Lawhead
