why the disciples give me hope for my students

I did something today that I try not to do too often...look at my kids' myspace. Its not that I don't want to look at their personal stuff, because how personal can it really be when it is available to millions of people to view. No I don't like looking at their myspace because its usually depressing.

Today's installment involved a slew of cuss words and a freshman girl talking about learning to drink shots. Not too flashy considering some of my perusings.

I guess what really bothered me was that some of the cuss words were on the pages of a student leader. Someone who is supposed to set the example for the other students. Someone with whom I have spent countless hours discipling, mentoring, and developing.

Yet after three years of this I still discover profanity on his myspace.

Have you ever been at one of those points in youth ministry where you ask yourself, "am I having any effect at all?" I wonder if Jesus ever asked that question?

When I think of Jesus and his disciples I am comforted. Think about the disciples for a moment...they cut off ears, argued over who would sit by Jesus in Heaven, stole, lied, betrayed, put their foot in their mouths, doubted, etc. In fact Jesus once said that they had no faith and even called them "dull."

These men walked, talked, ate, traveled, served, and spent a lot of time with Jesus...the Messiah...the Man, and they still messed up and they still didn't get it. Yet, when they finally got it, something beautiful began to happen. These men went on to do some amazing things for Jesus.

Jesus and his disciples remind me that discipleship is a process. It can take a long time...sometimes very long. The fact that i read a MySpace and get dissapointed doesn't mean that Jesus is by any means done with a kid. It doesn't mean that this kid is not growing in his faith.

So are you having any effect on your youth group at all? If you're spending time with kids, showing them the way of Jesus, offering them a safe relationship, and just loving them no matter what, my guess is that you're having a huge effect on them. You might not see it now. You might not see it for a few years. But when they "get it," watch out...because they just might change the world!

Blessings to you all.