Tis the season! Events season, that is! It’s hard to believe Youth Encounter has
already hosted 29 events through the February 14-16, 2003 weekend. The season is already half over! It’s amazing how quickly time passes.
As the season began last
November, I was excited. Maybe you,
too, were excited. I was anxious to
experience the new use of video clips, PowerPoint and other interactive
elements at the events. Mostly, I was
excited to share Christ with youth and watch God minister to them in powerful
ways. However, at my second event I
felt like I was cruising on auto pilot.
I just didn’t have that enthusiastic drive I’d had at every event I’d
hosted in the past. Was it because the
holidays had just come and gone?
Perhaps. Was it because my wife
and I had our second child on December 21
st and had just hosted lots
of family and friends at our house?
Probably partially. Was it
because winter was here, the days were short and I had a bit of the “winter
blahs”? Could be.
Whatever the reason, the
fact was that I felt like I was just going through the motions, making sure the
logistics of the event were running smoothly.
I wasn’t really focusing on the ministry opportunities available. Then, on Sunday morning, I read the youth evaluations
from the weekend and it changed my whole perspective. Here’s a sample of what I read:
“I learned many things
about my relationship with God and feel much closer to Him.”
“The weekend helped me
think more about God as a friend.”
“I have gotten to know God
better and feel that He is always with me.”
“I feel a lot closer to
God from this weekend.”
Once again, I was reminded
that despite my lack of energy and focus, God is working. I was reminded that powerful, life changing
ministry isn’t dependent on me. At
every event, the Youth Encounter staff prays for God to minister to the hearts
gathered there. I have yet to
experience an event where people have not heard an especially comforting and
timely message, worshiped God in a fresh and fulfilling way or had a true life
changing experience.
This reminder came at a
good time for me. As we head into the
deep of winter, it’s easy to experience “the blahs.” Be encouraged! God is at
work! Whatever you’re dealing with
right now in your life, remember…God is at work. As our
Head To The Heart
theme says, we must not only trust God with our minds, but believe with our
hearts that He is there working all things together for good (Romans
8:28).
I think one youth summed
it up quite well when he wrote in his evaluation, “Don’t just know God –
BELIEVE!”
The events I’ve attended
since have been wonderful, dynamic weekends.
True, I sometimes still grow weary from all there is to do, but I know
God is doing amazing things in the lives of all those who gather for our event
weekends.
So, beat the blahs! Trust in God! May He be glorified as we head into the second half of the event
season! Hope to see you at a Quake or
Congress soon!
Find a Youth Encounter
Event near you! Click on
www.youthencounter.org/events!
