Reflections on a Week at Camp with Teens

Late in July, I had the distinct privilege of speaking to Middle School Students at
"Junior High #2" week at Camp Sawtooth. For some, the words "privilege" and
"week at camp with Middle school students" don't seem to go together.
I love being with this age of kids, and I have several reasons:

1) ENERGY

I think we could solve the "energy crisis" our country is currently experiencing if
we could figure a way to harness the energy of this age group of kids. Unlike their
younger peers, these kids can, and do, go from morning until night, with no down
time. Just provide plenty of good food.

2) UNBRIDLED HONESTY

If you fear embarrassing questions, this is not the group for you. The wonderful
thing about this age of kids is that they are ok enough to be curious about
everything, and young enough that they don't have the "politeness filters" that
hinder us in our adulthood.

For this age group, no question seems too dumb to ask, no boundary seems
impenetrable. If a question crosses their mind, you're going to know it, it's just
blurted out-most often before they think about it.

I've always told kids in my life they can ask me anything. Anything for this
age group encompasses a literally everything. There are times I have to think of age
appropriate answers but I always try and give them an honest answer. I've been
asked about everything from "How do you explain the Trinity?" to more personal
questions like, "Why are you still single?"

They are also not afraid to tell you what they think, and it's always raw and
untamed by the process of "growing -up". I love the perspective that isn't tainted
by what is "acceptable."

Sometimes I think we've gotten too polite in our "adulthood" and need to be more
like kids. They don't think they're being dumb to ask a question, and it sure beats
making up an answer like so many adults do. I love their unbridled honesty.

3) SERIOUSLY WRESTLING WITH FAITH

Do you ever get tired of the formulated answers that people give in regards to
faith? I love this age because they seriously question God. I don't mean the question
of God's existence-for most of
them, that is obvious- I mean the why questions.  Why can life be so hard?
Why am I with this family?  How can God love me and allow me to be abused?
What have I done that is "so wrong" that God's Son had to die?

These are real questions for these kids, and they really want to know the answers.
For most adults, they want to know the "right" answers so their theology will be
correct.  The kids don't care about the theology, they intuitively understand it's about
relationship. I praise God for that.

4) COURAGE

When these kids come to understand the Love of God, and know Jesus in a personal
way, they don't sit back in the bleachers as if the process is completed. They step up to
the plate. Their lives are changed. They have courage to dream bigger than themselves

5) REFLECTING GOD'S JOY

Watching their faces, their laughter at the silly things, I can see the joy of God. As
adults we can be so "Serious".  No wonder kids get easily bored when around a group
of  adults. Teenagers can laugh at the silliest, funniest, and sometimes crudest things and
their faces radiate a joy for life few adults emulate. Teenagers inspire me.

LET'S BE MORE LIKE CHILDREN FAITH THAN ADULTS OF THIS WORLD!

I'm so thankful for the many young people in my life who constantly teach me what
it is to be a child of God.
Aren't you?

IN HIS GRIP,

MURPH