Ready to Launch...

A few weeks ago at a youth group I lead at, we were having our yearly residential. Of course, this always means the obligatory planning meetings, the thrashing out of a program and the practicalities of actually putting it together. Admittedly, for me this means the frantic searching for resources just a few hours before take off. This year, this resulted in the seeking of appropriate alternatives to Academy Awards and Golden Globes. After a bit of a stress, I was satisfied with my findings: little goblin statues and gooey little ball things that flashed different colours. They did the job. The only problem was that Pound Land seemed to have some quantity issues that day, so half of the young people had to be satisfied with either a wooden spoon or a pack of Oreos.

Contrary to past experiences, I surprised myself and was ready to leave early. Until I realised that I’d overlooked the packing of my case that is. However, as a seasoned expert I managed to throw it together in a mere 35 minutes (a personal record!). I’d later suffer for doing such a rush job when a can of diet coke would explode over my things. On top of this, I would also discover that I hadn’t packed my ‘cool’ pajamas and would embarrassingly find, to the amusement of the other male leaders, that I’d brought my trusty blue tartan old man pair instead. My reputation suffered further when my costume of Samuel consisting of my dressing gown, a towel and a headscarf made me look considerably more like a middle aged woman than the great prophet. Of course this slight embarrassment could never quite compare to the near horror I felt when the group’s beloved pet hamster was nearly crushed on our bus by my oversized case. Naturally, if this had happened I would have immediately owned up and taken the blame. Never once did it cross my mind to somehow frame our driver, Tommy, for the atrocious crime.

Anyway, leaders, young people and a hamster now safely on location, anticipation was in the air. The program launched into action and blessedly without incident. The speaker was great, the atmosphere was fantastic and opportunities to share Christ were in full swing. But then…. Small Groups and tricky theological questions which resulted in Stuart looking like a rabbit in headlights! I hate not being fully equipped and I feel terribly unprepared for those complicated discussions. I want that to change. I’ve decided to go on a journey to effectively tackle some of these difficult issues. Hopefully through this I will deepen my relationship with God, be able to share my findings with fellow questioners and be more equipped in my leadership. Of course, I go forward secure in the knowledge that the most important point above all the debate, confusion and gray areas, is that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). This is something I’m thankful for everyday of my life.

God Bless,

Stuart