The season of Lent is often a reflective and expectant time for most people. For me it is living in the reminder that Jesus fought for me and defied the odds. Jesus did this through the outlet of Young Life, which is also the ministry I am most involved in.
The mission of Young Life is one closest to the heart of God. Our mission is to seek the lost, disinterested and unchurched teenager. If we look at Jesus’ time on earth, “to seek the lost, disinterested and unchurched teenager” speaks closest to who He was/is and what He was/is about. He walked into the homes of cruel tax collectors, stood up for adulterous women and spoke to the blind beggar. This is a very small part of the character and actions of Jesus.
Young Life is all about Jesus. This ministry has been so attractive to me because Jesus gave me a Young Life leader that showed me the heart of Jesus and how He fought for me and is still fighting for me. The world has told me time and time again that I am not supposed to be a Christian and I don’t need Jesus. My flesh tells me I can do life on my own. But God is in constant pursuit. My rebellion isn’t enough for Him.
Being a Young Life leader has been the greatest honor. I get to chase after high school kids alongside Jesus. I am only paving the way. Through my relationships with the girls at Gainesville High School, I am constantly reminded that our God is for everyone. He isn’t just for the 30-year-old who has decided to settle down and have kids and “give up their life.” He is for all people, of all ages, of all backgrounds. He has wanted us from the beginning and He is always going to want us. Jesus is the definition of life. He is the definition of life to the fullest and life in abundance.
In the past couple years of being a Young Life leader, I’ve seen hundreds of kids come into a relationship with Jesus. This has happened at Young Life Camps, at Young Life Club on a Monday night, and at Campaigners (Bible study) group. All we have done is walk alongside our friends, going where they are instead of waiting for them to come to us.
In this season of Lent, let us go out and seek others. Let us seek out those who look nothing like us and those with whom our paths would not cross. Let us use this season to best reflect the life of our Savior. To serve God is to serve His people. To love God is to love our people.
Dish Gangulee
Dish began her time at Servants in The Share women’s Bible study group. She’s a senior at the University of Florida and will be graduating this spring. Dish has been with Young Life (YL) for over three years. She’s applied for a job as a Staff Associate with YL. If she gets the position, she will training for 2-3 years to become an area director – the heart of that job is caring for the YL leaders in her area and pursuing Jesus. Dish loves food and people, though not in that order. She loves to travel, too (mostly to see people). Please pray for her as she moves into this new phase of ministry.