I have been questioned before about why I work in Youth Ministries. People I know from college who are doing very well for themselves (monetarily) say things like: “Why do you work with youth, I am sure it doesn’t pay well at all?” Or “Come on Eric, you have a degree in Environmental Science Natural Resource Management, why are you working with youth?” I often just smile at them and say, “you really want to know?” When they say yes, I tell them this story.
One summer while working Vacation Bible School in the kitchen area, one of my youth who was volunteering and working with a group came up to me. He told me he wanted to show me something. I said “cool,” and he took out of his pocket a folded up piece of paper. He unfolded the paper, and as he did I could see the bright red A+ at the top of the paper. I immediately thought he wanted to show me his good grade. Before I could say congratulations, he handed it to me and told me that he wanted me to read it. He told me that the assignment was that he could write a letter to anyone in the world and talk about an experience they had with that person. I took the piece of paper from him and at the top of the page, it read, Dear Eric. Without even reading it, I looked over at him and tears started to well up in my eyes and a big smile came across my face. I went on to read the letter. The letter thanked me for all that I had done for him in his life, how I was always there for him and that he loved hanging out with me. He thanked me for the basketball team and for being so open to allow him and his brother to join us on that team. He told me that that was their gateway to our youth group. He thanked me for taking him on ASP (Appalachia Service Project) and the life changing experiences he had there. He thanked me for Pilgrimage, Youth Group, lock-ins, and everything else we do in the youth program. He went on to say how excited he was for the next couple of years and couldn’t wait for the next year’s youth programming to start. He ended it by saying that he loved me.
“You see, that is why I work in Youth Ministry” I say. Money comes and goes but life changing experiences, well, they last a lifetime. Mathew 6: 19-21 states:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What I can offer the youth of our church is far more important than any amount of money or possessions I can accumulate. During Lent it is important to remember that earthly possessions stay here on earth, but loving God and showing that love to one another – that goes with you to heaven.
God, be with me always and help me to find the true riches that are abundant in me. Let not possessions rule my life, but my deep love of you and the world which guide my soul and store up my treasures in heaven. Amen
