We live in a disposable culture, a disposable world. In fact, many of the items we buy tout the word disposable as a marketing tool. Buildings now are erected to be torn down in just a few years. Everything from washers and dryers to cars now are optioned in a 10-year warranty. (The manufacturers don’t seem to believe these products will last longer than a decade.)
Because of our fast-paced, toss-it-away society, people also can feel they are disposable, too. Few jobs provide long-term security. More than half of all marriages fail. Every year, thousands of pastors and youth leaders are fired or they burn out—another indication of our use it-then-lose it mindset.
However, the Christian faith is not a disposable religion—it is not a fly-by-night philosophy or out-of-date faith. Rather, faith is built on the very presence of God with us—a God who will see us through all the inevitable changes of life. Throughout Scripture, we see that human beings are indisposable to God’s purposes. We are essential to the work of God in the world.
Because we are indispensable to God, we should treat each other as worthy and honored vessels. Our strength in ministry—especially youth ministry—needs to rest on the unchanging nature of God and the foundation of respect and love afforded all of God’s people. When our teenagers grab hold of this assurance, it is life-changing.
Make it a point to affirm your teenagers this week. Let them know they are indispensible to the church, to God. They are loved with an everlasting love that will not let them go, and that includes youth leaders.
