This week I'm writing blogs about things I'm thankful for. One of the things that I’m most thankful for is that I get to teach the Bible. I love the Word of God and I love getting to teach it to teenagers. This blog explains my feeling toward youth ministry and for that matter, ministry in general. It is also a good example of why you shouldn't ask me a simple question unless you want a long answer.
I was recently asked if I found joy in youth ministry. That word, "joy" stuck with me all night and into the next morning. What is joy? Sure I like doing youth ministry and I’m happy to be with the students. Our Wednesday night youth group is a highlight of my week and I truly love the students I get the privilege of serving. Is that joy though?
In writing to the Christians in the twelve tribes who had been scattered everywhere by the oppression of the Assyrians and Babylonians James charged them, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds," (James 1:2 ESV). He of course goes on to tell us the benefit we receive in the testing of our faith.
The word joy (χαρά; chara in the Greek) is the same throughout the New Testament and means gladness. It comes from the verb χαίρω; chairō which means to rejoice exceeding, to be glad, to thrive. James is telling us to have the same response to persecution as the wise men had to the announcement of Jesus birth (Matt. 2:10).
Joy in the Holy Spirit is what Paul tells us the Kingdom of heaven is about (Romans 14:17). Again, however this isn't a fun situation. People are bickering over what they can eat. The vegans and the bacon lovers are coming to blows at the church potluck and Paul rebukes them saying, get over it! Heaven is about joy in the Holy Spirit! We see joy listed as the second in line of the fruit of the spirit which I as a Christian possess.
Paul rejoices that he gets to pour his life out for the faith of the Philippians (Phil. 2:17) and he invites them to join him in his joy. So do I have joy? HECK YES I DO! Is it because of youth ministry? No, it’s because of Christ but it is out of that joy that I love others as He has loved me (John 15). Do I look forward to youth group every single week and love hanging out with, and teaching the Bible to this crazy, group of suburban, knife wielding, home schooling, maniacs? Oh, HELL YEAH! You better believe it! I love these students. I love their families! I love teaching the Bible! So my answer isn’t a simple, “Sure, it’s cool”. My answer is an emphatic, “YES!” There is much joy from Christ in seeing what the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of the teens at this church.
I’m not just here because it’s a good place to do something. I’m here because I love Jesus, I love these students, I love Jesus' church and serving His church is worship and it is joy filled, worship!
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