Broken Pinkies and Mountain Trails Show Local Teens Why Faith is Worth It
I smacked my pinky off a rock and almost fell off a mountain!
That is how I started my talk last week as I had an opportunity to speak to a large group of students about how our faith in Jesus will not be easy, but it is worth it. I was recently on vacation with my family in Canada. My favorite vacations involve riding up a ski lift with a mountain bike and riding back down on various trails. Just like skiing, there are green, blue, and black trails. And just like skiing, for those that are not on the slopes, ignorance can be bliss.
I still maintain that breaking my pinky and almost falling off the mountain was not my biggest mistake. My biggest mistake was showing my oldest son the video of the ride that I broke on...with my wife and mother present. Now, both my wife and my mom may not ever let my brother, our sons, and I to ever go biking again.
What I talked about with the students was not the “what” but the “why”. Why do I go biking? It's hard work, it's expensive, it can be scary, and there is always a risk of something happening worse than breaking a pinky. Why do I do it? Because to me, it is worth it. I love doing it, and I am willing to sacrifice something, many things, to be able to do it.
Why do we pursue God? Why do we work hard to share that opportunity with students. Is it because we are offering them an easier life? In most cases, no. In some cases, life may get harder.
Why convince students that might be living a hard life, that they should give themselves over to God? Because it is worth it, because they are worth it. Because we were born for a relationship with God, and it is from that perspective that students, that all of us can face life, and receive life to the fullest. Because finding worth, finding purpose, finding hope, finding eternal life gives us all the perspective, strength, and support we need to not just get through life, but to experience it the way we were created to. And the greatest thing about this life, is that it is offered to us for a price that God paid for us!
As I was wrapping up, a student came up to me who had recently graduated. He wanted to know how to get ahold of me in case he had more questions or needed help. He really appreciated hearing that this faithful life is worth the fight. My experience with students has not been that they are not willing to do hard things or overcome hard things. My experience is that they need to know that there is a reason to pursue, a reason to struggle, and a reason to overcome. He was not asking because he was not ready to pursue something hard. He was asking because he wanted to be equipped for the journey.
Our heart at Youth for Christ is that we can help our leaders and local churches have the tools and encouragement that they need to help students that are far from Jesus and far from the church find that hope and purpose. A hope and purpose that will help students receive life and life to the fullest.
Empowering Middle & High School Youth Across Kitsap & North Mason Counties
At Campus Life, we walk alongside middle school and high school students right where they are. Through our free drop-in centers, we create safe, welcoming spaces for youth to connect with background-checked, trained mentors over games, snacks, tutoring, and life-changing conversations about faith and purpose. Whether through our regular school-year programs, summer camp, or seasonal events, we are dedicated to building authentic relationships across Kitsap and North Mason counties.
Partner with Us to Impact Local Students
Transformation happens when community members step up together. You can partner with us to support local youth outreach, volunteer as a mentor, or help fuel our programs in Poulsbo and Bremerton.
Visit or Connect with Our Drop-In Centers:
The Next Door Center (Poulsbo): 1779 NE Hostmark St, Poulsbo, WA 98370
The Underground Center (Bremerton): 7555 Old Military Road NE, Bremerton, WA 98337
The Westside Center (Bremerton): 1211 Veneta Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337
