☼ Find Me, Fix Me

I'm not going to talk about random stuff that happened to me today. Well, it won't be focused on that.

And, for some reason, a problem that has been ever-present for quite a long time now, just arose, quite unexpectedly, and I recognized what it meant to me. Maybe you know what I'm talking about...

I'm not sure where to begin...but one thing is certain: We need to talk. We really need to talk. Fancy hearing that coming from me.

What to talk about? Sigh. Here it comes...

Flame.

We really need to talk about Flame.

Yes yes, we've already discussed about it briefly in those two Sunday School classes during spring break...but have we really discussed it? Of course, many of those things that were mentioned are true. But did anyone notice any of the adult leaders taking part in that discussion?

This problem isn't unknown. In fact, we all know that there is a problem.

The sad part is, we don't do anything to fix the problem.

All talk, no walk. If you get what I mean.

You might be wondering, why now? Why suddenly bring this up? After all, it is a Monday...

But I realized that God really put the burden on my heart to help "revive" flame. And right about now, I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders again.

This really all started from talking about Navajo.

Last year, Navajo was so great. I felt like everyone just worked and got along together perfectly. Everyone was willing to help, and were always asking if they could help. Because of this, all the work got done a lot faster and then people got more time to connect with each other and spend a little free time together.

Also, there were a variety of people. People who have gone many times before, people who have gone once or twice, and the people who were new to the trip. Newbies, if you will. There was also a good variety of age groups. For example the teenagers, young adults, and adults. Oh, and Allen. He gets his own special group. Lol. The varieties in age allowed the team to function well. For example, the some of the adults were needed to cook. Also, it combined people who could lead with people who could follow the instructions.

All in all, there was a willingness to serve, and that helped unite everyone together. And everyone got along very well. That's whate made last year such a success.

This year, not very many people are going. And many "veterens" don't plan on going this year. I don't even know who is planning on going. And it seems like if there aren't enough people who are willing/able to go, then the trip will just have to be cancelled. Even if there is the heart to serve, it just won't be able to function properly without enough people. And this is a sad thing. Not only is this something that the Navajo children look foreward to the whole year, it is not good for the church (both at Navajo and at our church) if it is cancelled.

I really do wonder what will happen when Pastor Manning and Mrs. Manning get older and are unable to organize and lead the Navajo Mission Trip...

One reason why there aren't many people going, is probably because it hasn't really been promoted or "advertised" to people. Another reason for youth not going goes back to the youth group.

Let's just list the reasons why Flame isn't really what it should be right now:

1) Priorities - This often times goes back to the parents, who stress that doing well in school is important. Yes, it is important, but you musn't forget that it's all to glorify God. Along with that, God must be NUMBER ONE. Not number two or number one and a half, number ONE.

2) Laziness - Well, this is pretty self-explanatory. This is as well an individual issue, but just as a reminder DON'T STAY UP TOO LATE!!!! I think many teenagers nowadays need that reminder. Myself included.

3) Age - The plus side is that the majority in age groups are pretty close together. What I mean is that the majority of people are in ages (well, I really mean grade levels) that are close. For example, Sophmores and Juniors instead of Freshmen and Seniors. Or something like that.

 - However, there will be, next school year (girl/boy)

 ---- 1/1 Senior

 ---- 2/3 Junior

 ---- 1/1 Sophmore

 ---- 0/1 Freshman

- Although these are just for the people who, as of right now, are semi-regular attenders. But also remember that the number might be less if other activities (school, clubs, sports, work, etc.) get in the way.

4) Communication - Well, I think most of us get along quite well, and we do communicate. But that's mostly outside of Bible study and stuff. Individually, many of us are soft-spoken, as in we're not quite active in participating in discussions. This just makes everything have a gloomy, sluggish, and lazy kind of air. And this just builds off from one another, causing it to just spiral downward. Also, we don't have much communication with the adults about this problem. I know that Pastor Manning is trying so hard. And he probably has a lot of stuff in his hands to do and to worry about. Maybe that's why no one wants to really talk to him about it.

5) Growth - Individual growth is important. But it's hard to grow spiritually mature individually if you don't have the support you need. And part of the function of a youth group, I believe, is to help one another to grow closer to God ad grow spiritually, and to hold each other accountable and help each other. Not only is the growth of an individual important, so is the growth of a group as a whole. I think we have a pretty close group right now (I mean, half the people go to Marquette and live in the same area -_- ), but were not really growing spiritually as a group. Individually, I'll have to say for myself that I'm kind of lacking.

I'm sure there are a lot more, but right now, I'm truthfully just too tired to think about it much anymore. But this is really really important to me. So important, I'll admit that I cried over it. I cried for the group, because I know that it could be so much better, but it isn't, and it isn't what it's supposed to be. I cried because we need God to be in our lives.

I'm probably going to talk more about this subject later on (maybe tomorrow). But for now, I'm going to sleep...

And by the way, please pray for the Navajo Mission trip, as well as for Flame.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good od those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28