Leadership.
Let me tell you, being in any leadership position is not easy. But, try becoming a leader at a young age. 18 to be exact.
I became a Jr High youth leader right out of high school. I knew it's what I wanted to do, specifically because I had had such a great time in Jr High myself and wanted to help be a-part of facilitating the same environment for the kids at my church. However, I will admit, I had NO idea what all came with being a youth leader.
Here I thought that I was going to bring something to the table for the kids, I had no idea that they would do SO much for me without even meaning to. I'm to the point now, where I've decided that you get as much out of it as you put in. One of my favorite things is the accountability factor. When you constantly have eyes watching your every movement, it's great to help keep you accountable to what you're telling the kids to do. How can you tell them to read their Bible's everyday if you're slacking?
What about being bold in sharing the gospel? I can't hide in a corner when the opportunity arises and then tell my kids they should be outspoken about their faith. Or living with integrity. How can I hammer the idea of integrity to my kids if I'm acting like one person within the church walls and completely different outside of it?
As hard as it may be to live up to those standards, I can't possibly ask the youth kids to try, if I'm not trying to my best ability myself.
Through being in leadership, I have learned the importance of accountability and not being a hypocrite. I've learned to stand up for my convictions, knowing that it's between myself and God and whether other people understand it or not, I can't go against my own convictions. And none of this happened because of my own doing.
It's all because of my kids =)
They've helped me grow in more ways than I can possibly express! I've seen too many people fall down the way-side and rebel. And, I've seen how the kids react when they see that. When a student see's a leader rebelling against God, they see a massive hypocrite, someone they used to look up to, now making poor choices and being selfish. I can't imagine how discouraging that must be. Then, I see the leaders who have stayed strong, who work through the hardships of life and don't give up and rebel for the sake of ease. They try their best and work their hardest at keeping God the center of their focus.
Those leaders are admirable, genuine and worthy of their title. Though, imperfect, the fact that they try their best to stay on the narrow path means a lot in the eyes of a student who looks up to them. I remember being that student, looking up to my leaders and wanting to be like them when I was their age. They didn't seem perfect, they seemed real.
So, to all the leaders out there who impacted my life, thank you. =)
To all the students who have impacted our lives as leaders, thank you. =)
And to all the fellow leaders who have continued on the narrow path, I encourage you to continue and commend you for doing so. =)
Being a youth leader rocks! ;)
