Elizabeth Bjorling

Jr. High Discipleship - Fact or Fiction

As I sit with my steaming hot Starbuck’s cup, with every part of my body aching of tiredness I ask myself, was it worth it?  The months of planning?  The lack of sleep?  The fundraising?  The scrambling to replace last minute cancellations of small group leaders? Will the changes I see in students actually last?   Was this just an emotionally driven mountain top experience or was this the great beginning of an epic lifetime adventure of following Jesus? 

To an outside observer, examining our registered students on Friday afternoon before departure, the prospects didn't look very bright.  Looking at those squirrelly Jr. Highers hanging out in the gym before we left, girls giggling and guys shoving each other, most would assume that leading them to deep discipleship was exceeding the realms of possibility.  For 7th-8th grade students to abandon their cell phones and I-pods and go on an adventure to deepen their faith is not something you will see on the nightly news, and yet it happened. 

When looking at this motley crew, I confess I sometimes wonder, are they even capable of engaging with God on a deeper level?  Are we expecting too much?  Have teenagers changed too much to expect them to respond like those before them have?   Perhaps the portrait of deep devotion in a student is something we dreamt up, but I don’t think so.  My dad always said, “You might not be able to lead a horse to water and make him drink, but you can run him around a lot and make him really thirsty.”  For years now I never cease to be amazed at the conversations I have with this deeply awkward, vulnerable, and honest group of young people as they are made thirsty for the things of God.

The Sanctuary

Just a few days ago, one of my bright blue eyed students came up to ask a question.  I noticed the tops of her hands were covered in scars from self injury.  When asked about them, she explained with a dropped head, that some kids at school had called her names, and this is how she handled it.  Another shared with me her story in broken tears about the argument she had earlier that day with her best friend.  One quick and creative boy whose parents are in the middle of an ugly divorce can solve a Rubix cube in 3 minutes.  He brings it every week for others to watch in awe.  All of these students have something in common.  They all need a sanctuary. 

When I hear the word "sanctuary," my mind is harkened back to the old sanctuary I grew up making pilgrimages to each week.  It was a large room with arched beams, green and gold stained glass windows, and wooden pews with the pervading scent of lemon polish.  No matter what happened that week, the sanctuary didn't change.  You knew your "spot".  It was safe.  It was a constant.  It was a place I met God.  In that place were people who knew my name and loved me.  It was because of those people that it was the safe place I needed.  If we are honest it's something we all need.