YouthMeeting

By Levi Schmuck, Accident, Maryland

Apology:
I'm confused about how this ought to happen. A seemingly simple topic to discuss, yet leaving me without the words to do it any justice. And so I become a paradox: Accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ within myself in order to write about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I've no intent to be funny, but somehow as I sit amid familiarities, I grin as God reveals things that I ought to have relished days ago-the one thing we seldom realize to be in the way-self.

Invitation:
I wish you could have been there to see it all play out. Conference 2003: youth sessions-and so it begins. Sit back and become uncomfortable as you catch a glimpse of us living "even more undignified" at the flooding of God's presence. And if it becomes too much, and I pray it does, we want you to come with us.

Character notes:
Joe Byler/worship leader: Many Christians sadly walk away from anointing of gifts and talents and get away with calling it humility. Joe, you accepted the anointing to lead. Thank you. I am still being blessed because of your decision. You could have easily let us get caught up in the music, but your passion was clear. I, for one, was caught up in Jesus.

Lavern Nissley/speaker: I've known it's hard for some people to cross the assumed generational borders to follow the anointing they walk in so boldly elsewhere. But God was alive in your voice, Lavern. He challenged me in some areas of life. He encouraged me to continue faithfully in other areas. And He used you to speak those things with words and actions. Thanks for being faithful.

Plot:
I desire to more than just inform you . . . I want to challenge you. If it were possible, I'd ask you to close your eyes and put yourself in the conference meeting room, surrounded by a diverse lot of young people consumed by God. True worshiper: loud, silent, still, or jumping about. It doesn't matter when God is the focus. As one man described after the first session, "It was like in Jurassic Park when the glass of water begins to shake at the approach of T Rex." Pounding, POUNDING, CLOSER! The outward and inward collision of our spirits with God's, erupting into worship . . . praising our Savior in spite of our humanness. Can you tell I'm excited? And that's just a small piece of it. Paints a beautiful picture, doesn't it? If nothing else a testament of our Mennonite roots that Lavern was rapping about. Yes, I said rapping. It's a shame how that ancient fire still runs so deep, yet we lose it or hide it because we are the supposed "quiet in the land." At the end of the day, we can't settle for the misunderstanding that salvation is God's will for you and me. Our sin is the separation, and salvation is merely the door into the foyer of God's will for you and me. JESUS-OUR LORD-that's where things really start to happen.

Lavern spoke of three areas in which we as youth, or more appropriately as Christians, should surrender to the lordship of Christ. Relationships: yeah . . . I don't think I'm alone in saying this is an area of my life that I have to check daily. Sometimes we're quick to act when we ought to be quick to pray concerning our relationships. I was taken by surprise when it wasn't just another discussion of boy/girl relationships. Although Lavern included those relationships, he focused on relating with people in authority: Fathers, pastors, etc. I didn't really want to hear it, but I needed to, as did many. Time and Money: "Alright, I've got this one made." Or so I thought. I was very much assured that God was controlling my finances and making me a steward of them, but Lavern didn't stop there. Oh, time . . . time is something we often overlook. I know I still do. (I should be the president of "Procrastinators Anonymous", but I keep putting it off.) But Lavern described, as we looked at the life of Christ, how we must, through Christ's lordship, reflect Him with both our money and our time. Thoughts and Passions: Would all the guys please stand up? If this is not an area of your life that you have to surrender daily to Jesus, I'd really like to meet you! I don't know what to say, Lavern. You hit the nail on the head . . . again. What do we think about? What triggers those things we think about? The Bible tells us it all comes back to our hearts.

Audience Cue:
And so to bring this mess of mass-confusion together, I appeal to you as readers. I intentionally left out references Lavern used throughout the three sessions with hope that you are not satisfied with the crumbs I've set before you and will go seeking the rest of the confection God has prepared. There are tapes available from these sessions, and I encourage you to listen to them, but more that that I pray that you will see us as "youth" who, often times, can learn from your mature passion for God. Maybe our music is loud and our attitudes are uncertain, but we all fumble through our baggy-trouser pockets for some change. Maybe that change is you. I said I wanted to challenge you . . . do you really want to be just an audience?

And if it becomes too much, and I pray it does, we want you to come with us.

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