“What does it mean that you’re faith based?” In the last blog, we looked at what faith means in the context of community with one another. Today, I want to share with you what it means for us in the context of relationship to a loving God.
Let me begin by going back to this all-important truth: Faith is a relational word! When we speak of faith we are not talking about joining some dead religion that has little relevance to people’s lives. When we speak of faith, we are talking about a living relationship with a loving God, who has made himself known to us through the person of Jesus.
Let me also declare another all-important truth: The development of genuine relationship is always invitational and never coercive. This is without question a guiding principle for us at the youth centre, both one to another and with God. I have often said to teens as they begin to ask questions about God, that faith is the great “want to” and religion is the great “have to”. God has no desire for religious activity out of obligation. God does have great desire to walk in relationship with each and every one of us.
I recently met with a friend of mine who has been going through an incredibly difficult time in life. As one who has been on a journey back to faith, he said to me, “We were not meant to carry such weight through life on our own.” What a powerful realization that sums up so well how we seek to serve at RE:SOUL.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.”
While many have experienced the burden (or weight) of religion in their life – a tragedy, for sure – the message of Jesus is one of LIFE and LOVE. We have seen time after time the beauty of teens coming to life as they enter into relationship with a God who loves them like crazy! At a time when teenage depression, anxiety, and a general sense of “what’s the point?” pervades our youth culture, the messages of faith can be so life-giving:
GRACE – You are fully accepted, it’s not something to be earned!
HOPE – There is One who is always looking out for you!
PURPOSE – Your life matters! You are not a mistake!
BELONGING – You are God’s kiddo and part of the family!
PRESENCE – You are never alone! God is always with you!
FREEDOM – You don’t have to carry this weight alone!
The list could obviously go on, but just consider the power of these truths when fully embraced by a teen. It is truly life-giving and it is the reason we believe that caring for a person holistically includes caring for them spiritually! It is always a choice – once again, it is never coercive – but when they do choose to walk in relationship with our loving God, the transformation is beautiful.