I've worked with middle school age students in my church for a few years now. When I tell people this, I generally get an, "Oh, I'm so sorry," or, "Wow, you're brave." People label middle school students as selfish and stupid and awkward and loud. Yes, they can be all of those things at times. Sometimes you have to tell a 6th grader to stop picking their nose while trying to keep an 8th grade couple from sneaking out of the worship service. They are in a stage of life that no one is really sure how to handle. Not really kids, not really teenagers. They can be rude, gross, and immature. But I've encountered a lot of adults that are much less pleasant to deal with than a bunch of middle schoolers. I think a lot of times, this lack of understanding where they are at in life causes us to underestimate all that they are and all that they are capable of.

Working with this age group has changed my life. I'm not kidding. I've seen them do incredible things for His Kingdom. I've seen them lead worship at their schools. I've seen them welcome outcasts with open arms. I've seen them speak words of life over each other. I've sat at the back of a room and watched 200 of them reach to the heavens as they praised their Savior. I've seen a group of girls give one of their own Bibles to a girl who didn't have one and cried as I realized they were teaching her how to use it. Middle schoolers have the capacity to look beyond and to love anyone and everyone. I'm tired of hearing words like "selfish" and "catty" spoken over them. I'm tired of seeing them feel like their problems are not important because they're in middle school. I'm tired of not seeing them live up to their full potential because no one will take the step to tell them all that they are capable of.

Nothing is ever going to change if we don't start to come into agreement with what Jesus says they are. And Jesus says they are selfless and compassionate and funny and faithful and honorable. And you know what else? Middle schoolers, yes, middle schoolers, are made in His image. That means that this particular age group mirrors a part of the Father that no other group can. We need their ability to love. We need the funny little things they say. We need their ability to learn new things and have a teachable spirit. Middle schoolers are not just important, they are necessary.

I can't tell you how much I look forward to seeing my middle school girls every Wednesday night, or how much I loved the girls I worked with at camp. I love getting to listen to their stories and their problems that the world has told them are not important simply because they are in middle school. I love getting to tell them that their feelings are valid. I love praying with them and laughing with them. When you get to know them, they are more than just middle schoolers. You begin to see the vastness of who they are and the blank canvas of all that is to be. Can you imagine what this generation of middle schoolers will do if we begin to look for the good in them and speak to it? Jesus said His followers will do His signs and wonders and even greater things. Every single one of us is capable of amazing things. This does not exclude middle school. Jesus said, "Let the children come." Let's play our part in sending them.