It Is Worth It
I was once asked, “Why do you do Young Life? It’s a cult.” At first, my response was defensive - “What do you mean it’s a cult? No, it’s not!” But the more times I was asked, the more my answer began to change, “How long do you have?” I would ask. The answer is simple. Not short, but simple...
Why do I do Young Life?
Because I’ve seen it change lives.
Because I’ve seen it strengthen relationships.
Because I’ve seen it create memories & milestones.
Young Life is not just an organization funded by sponsors or some club kids go to after school. Young Life is a lifestyle - one that chases after the one Jesus lived.
For me, Young Life was a saving grace. I had bounced from church group to church group looking for a place to finally call my own - a place to call home.
When I was first invited I turned the offer down immediately and multiple times. For an entire school year, my answer was "no". I was the girl who called it a cult, who warned others not to go because it was crazy. Oh, how I look back and regret who I was those days.
Finally, at the end of my sophomore year of high school, I caved. Four people asked me that year. Rachel was the fourth girl to ask.. and without even thinking I said yes!
What I saw, what I experienced, what I heard that night at club changed my life forever. I was hooked.
Since that Wednesday evening, many years ago, my life has looked dramatically different. My heart yearned for people in my school to know the Creator of the Universe, to know how fully loved they are.
Why do I do Young Life?
Because I've seen it change lives; my best friend, girls I had prayed for, my brother, my parents, my own.
Because I've seen it strength relationships; between my parents and I, between my brothers and my parents, between my leaders and I.
Because I've seen it create milestones; I learned to trust people, I learned to trust God, I started new friendships, I watched girls meet Jesus.
Because I've seen it create memories; summer camps, skipping prom to throw a party for underclassmen, leading a small group for sophomore girls my senior year, laughing, praising, crying, and loving on every girl that I had the chance to meet and grow close to.
Club is fun. Campaigners make me think. My small group took me deeper.
So, why do I do Young Life?
Because the joy I receive from watching my friends go from death to life was worth every obstacle, every "no", every excuse I gave.
Young Life not only changes lives, but saves them.
