A short thought for your summer pondering…
By Al Ronberg
There is a saying that I have often found myself using to communicate a more holistic model of ministry within the world of young people. Hilary Clinton quoted this saying in her autobiography (although I can’t be accused of knowing this for myself). The saying goes that “it takes a village to raise a child”… effectively concluding that our kids are a part of a wider community of influence that has a role to play in growing healthy and participating young ‘citizens’… The natural conclusion from this is that our young people NEED their local communities… I definitely wouldn’t disagree with this, but I think we also need to acknowledge that the opposite is equally true… Our communities NEED young people.
The writer of Ecclesiastes provides a “glowing commentary” of life beyond our youth (The Message paraphrase)
Ecclesiastes 12
1-2 Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
3-5 In old age, your body no longer serves you so well.
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen.
The shades are pulled down on the world.
You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird-song.
Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past.
Even a stroll down the road has its terrors.
Your hair turns apple-blossom white,
Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body.
Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest,
While your friends make plans for your funeral.
The tone of this passage appears a bit bleak and may in fact cause many of us to shoot down and check-in to our local rest-home… but when we look at the challenge issued to young people Just BEFORE this passage, we can appreciate that the enthusiasm and zest for life that young people enjoy provides them with incredible opportunity and availibility to be change-agents within their communities.
Ecclesiastes 11
9 You who are young, make the most of your youth.
Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart.
If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But know also that not just anything goes;
You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.
10 Live footloose and fancy-free—
You won’t be young forever.
Youth lasts about as long as smoke.
So then… Why are we building a resource that actively engages young people with God’s Story? Because the best place for that story to be interwoven into the fabric of a young person’s life is through practical application… As young people play the 2ndcity game – they will be challenged to live out what they are learning, IN their local communities… We sincerely pray that 2ndcity acts as a catalyst for a culture of community participation amongst young people here in NZ, and BEYOND!
