There was a heaviness when I walked into our youth room. Granted, some students had their first day of school that day and the school for everyone else started the next day, but this was different.
I could feel the down spirits and hear muffled, semi-serious conversations as I went about straightening up the youth room before service.
My mind went to "How do I fix this?" And I felt like the Lord said, "You can't".
He was right. There wasn't a game that was going to fix this and I couldn't preach out of them whatever was weighing them down. So I did the only thing I could do and that was be honest with them and pray.
I shared Isaiah 43:14-19, a verse God had put on my heart and then shared what I felt like was the mood in the room. I wish I could say everything was resolved and burdens were lifted, and maybe they were but without tears or emotion.
I share this with you today because I, for the first time in a long time, really felt the pressure and the anxiety my students were feeling and my powerlessness to do anything about it.
I write this in hopes of encouraging you that there will be nights you can't fix things for your students but God is still present for them and for you.
Have a great week
Paul
P.S. I will be going live Tuesday August 12th at 8pm CST over on my Youtube channel where I will be answering your youth ministry questions about planning, admin and more. Come hang out.