I had this text message conversation with a student this week (shared here with permission from the student). This illustrates the impact and influence volunteer youth workers have in the lives of their students. This also illustrates what students need/want from us:
- Accountability
- A reason to make right choices
- Boundaries
- Direction
- To know we care to say what needs to be said, not what will make us popular with them
| Hey i got a question. if i went into a party where there is drinking and other stuff like that but i didn’t do any of that stuff but i just dance and nothing more, is that like bad against god? |
| That’s a big question without an easy answer. I would not do that because I would be surrounding myself by temptation by choice. It’s so much easier to give in that way. Consider the wisdom of Proverbs 6:27, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” and also Proverbs 14:7. There’s also such potential for bad stuff happening in that kind of environment. I trust your desire to do the right thing, I don’t trust your human nature or the others who might not be as smart as you about doing the right thing. |
| Alright thanks Dennis. i can always count on you. |
| You know it! I’ve got your back! |
| Haha that you do. |
