After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9,10
I wonder what is what like to be one of the wise men to first see the star that would lead them to The Great King that was about to be born. They had been reading and studying and then "poof" a new star appeared, the sign that all their looking to the sky was not in vain.
This is what I call the proverbial "glimmer of hope" because I think you, like me, are always looking, studying and praying to see that same glimmer of hope in your students; any evidence that you are making a difference at all.
I had 3 students show up for youth past week and rather than do a lesson I took them to a fast food place and we talked. I had to go back to the church for a meeting but for forgot to tell one parent I was coming back to the church and she was heading to pick up her son at the restaurant.
I told the student, "Hey if she's mad just blame me." He said, "I'm not blaming my favorite youth pastor". And of course I said, "Well, I'm you're only youth pastor". A glimmer.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2
The light of hope still shines in small places and even smaller youth groups. Keep working, keep studying because you never know when you'll catch that glimpse of hope.
Have a great week,
Paul
P.S. Don't forget the Christmas Deal going on over in my store. If you're looking to get ahead in 2026, now is your time to do it at a really great price.