I was talking to one of our boys who hasn't been involved in anything youthwise this summer, because of football. My last Wednesday here at Spanish Fort is this week, and it was a simple question: "Are you going to be there?" He turns to me, and to my surprise, says yes!! I honestly was making sure not to build up my hope to be let down by his answer, but this is not what I expected to hear. I immediately fire back with a counter, claiming he has football practice; like i know better than he does. I hear a couple random coughs from the people around us, clearly trying to hint at something, and he turns to me. I will never forget his answer:
"Well Kristen, I'm going to quit football today. I have gone to the hospital three times for that team, and I won't do it again. I don't love football, I love God, and I love being able to do stuff with the church. Without football in the way, I can actually be involved."
My response: tears. I could do nothing else. He began crying with me. I was truly inspired by his words and his commitment. He gets it. If God had brought me here this summer to hear nothing else but those words, it would've been worth it. This city doesn't get it. These kids don't get it. It's about sports and competition... it's never about God or relationship. For once I had heard someone sacrifice their own agenda to fulfill God's mission in their life. I have spent my summer begging kids to come to youth and come to camp with the same old response - I have this sport, this practice, this vacation. I just wish people could get it. I wish that parents would instill great values, not great expectations. This Sunday I had caught a glimpse of heaven, a glimmer of hope for a church lost in worldly desires and mindsets. A lot of times the youth group is the breath and life of a church... I hope that Remedy Youth can do more than inspire - I hope they can change the face of Spanish Fort.
What do you love? God? Well, then maybe you should shift your priorities.
-k10
