When things look down, look up

Oct. 18, 2007

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will be no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

-         Matthew 18: 2-3

There are storms in life.

They’re scary.

But it’s OK to be scared, and it’s OK to tell God about it. Because He will get us home.

A video series by Michigan youth pastor Rob Bell was featured at a Thursday evening, Oct. 18 session of an ecumenical community youth group of high school students that meets in the Presbyterian Family Center.

About two dozen young people watched as Bell re-enacted a walk in the woods he took with his infant son. A storm came up, and it frightened the baby.

Bell re-assured his son as he carried him home. “As his dad, I would do anything to get him home,” Bell said, adding that God is the same way with us.

“If you cry out, God hears you,” Bell told his audience. “Too many have this false, twisted idea that people have to have it all together.”

Sara Erselius, co-youth pastor at First Presbyterian Church, asked the gathering what problems they might be having.

Answers included relationships, parents, sports, school work, the future and choosing the right path every day.

“Little kids are so honest,” Erselius said. “God wants us to be that raw, that honest, with Him.”

The groups enjoyed smoothies and a word association game before breaking to view the video.

The ecumenical youth group meets on alternating Thursdays at 8 p.m. in the Family Center. The group alternates with the Montezuma High chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

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