If you have seen my tagline or skimmed my bio, you know that I am Christian. Actually, I am an Evangelical. Actually, I am a Presbyterian. But to whoever is reading this, just know that I love Jesus. And I have a bunch of friends who do as well.
Our life is not just Bible class, Bible camp, and scary conversations about the Apocalypse. We, like every body else, live our lives, just a little differently. Here is a list of the top ten characteristics of a Christian Youth lifestyle:
** Everyone is different. This is from what I have seen and experienced myself**
1. Bible and coffee equals happiness.
There is something about studying the Bible with a nice cup of coffee. I personally would love to find a favorite cafe and just study the whole day away. If you want a new place for your Bible Study Group to go and talk about Psalms or the Evangelicals, I suggest a local cafe. They can be so quiet and serene. And something about the aroma of coffee beans just puts people in a good mood.
2. There is no special privilege of being a pastor's kid.
If you are a pastor's child, or the pastor's child, then you are held to a certain standard. Because, it is all eyes on you. You represent yourself, and you kinda represent your family as well. We live acting as if everyone is watching, because they sort of do. If the pastor cannot even run a wholesome and Christian household, how will that look to the rest of the people at church? Deep, I know.
3. If you've never cried at church, you haven't been to Church Camp.
Literally, Church Camp is youth service on caffeine. It, to me anyways, is one of the best ways to personally connect to God. Truly, my life gets impacted every year I go. Also, the whole congregation youth gets together for games and communion and unity.
4. Being the perfect church couple is a lot of pressure.
This couple is the prime example for everyone else. Similar to being the pastor's child, everyone will be watching you to see how your relationship rolls out. A Christian relationship involves three people: You, your partner and God. Plain and simple. And there is always that constant struggle of balancing the relationship with your work for God. But remember: Your significant other should always support your work and goals in God, not push you away.
5. Finding someone whose Christian AND cute is hard!!
Raise your hand if you feel this!!! I mean, it is near impossible finding someone who shares the same views about faith. Someone mature, intelligent, passionate. And being drop dead gorgeous would not hurt either. But if you're good looking but not Evangelical, I can still appreciate the good work of the Lord. Just from a distance.
6. Hillsong and Jesus Culture and Kirk Franklin are childhood staples.
Hillsong and Kirk Franklin were in my upbringing since the beginning. I have no hate for them, but if you see my playlists from five to seven years ago, that is all you would see. Their songs are just classics, along with Bethel Music.
7. We have regular clothes. And then we have CHURCH clothes.
My wardrobe ranges from average college girl to the Christian youth teacher who is married to the pastor of the church. My skirts and dresses will NOT go past the knees. Also, we have a different style of "dressing up" as well. I know that the people in my church take Sunday's finest to a whole other level. And there is always the problem of trying to find appropriate clothes without twinning with your mother.
8. Finding out a celebrity is Christian can get tricky...
It is awesome seeing your fave celebrity tweeting something like "God Bless" or has an Instagram post caption consisting of a Bible verse. However, that doesn't necessarily make them Christian. Instead, I am a little skeptical. Because one moment, they are totally humble and thanking God for the blessings. And the next moment, the same person is talking and posting about the opposite. I mean, I also almost cried when I saw Selena Gomez's Instagram post about "Oceans"... but they also need to practice what they preach.
9. Parents constantly warn us about this generation.
We get it... this generation is bad and full of evils. We have drugs and diseases and partying, oh my!! But seriously, every generation has said that about the next. I understand that we are chosen from the world... but that doesn't mean I have to live in a protected bubble 24/7.
10. Skipping Sunday Service becomes Scandalous.
No. Just no. It mustn't be done. Sunday Service is the family service. And trust me, once you skip... you'll start getting comfortable skipping. And nobody wants their youth pastor to come by your house unexpectedly and awkwardly talk to your parents about the path you have taken. Nobody.
