Monday, January 19, 2015

After the quake

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)


That was the theme verse this past weekend as we were REdefined at the Harrisburg Youth Quake. 


22 youth and 9 adult leaders spent the weekend together laughing, singing, dancing, dressing up in crazy outfits, playing games, meeting new people and deepening our relationship with God and with one another. 


We heard stories from Dan Scharnhorst about what it means to be REdefined because of God's great love for us.


We sang and danced with Captive Free and Bread of Stone as lyrics spoke to us about who we are as human beings created in God's image, loved and treasured by God for who we are. 


It was an amazing weekend. 


But I think what may have stuck out most for me was when we shared highs and lows on Saturday night.  The question asked was, "What is something you would not have experienced today if you didn't come to the Youth Quake?" 


All sorts of answers came out.  From silly things, like hiding under tables, playing team ninja and laughing uncontrollably, to real things, like
meeting new people and developing new friendships,
spending time in conversation with youth and adults from our congregation,
spending time with people,
sharing a meal with members of Captive Free,
getting to meet members of the band Bread of Stone,
being able to hear that a member of our group writes and shares poetry,
thanks given to the people at Trinity that for the first time high school youth attended as Junior guides,
hearing the adults thank the youth for being there for the weekend....
packaging food for hungry people around the world,
hanging out with my siblings and cousins for the weekend,
and the countless other things that we could only experience as attendees of the Harrisburg Youth Quake. 


And those are the joys and the challenges that come along with attending a life changing weekend like this one. 


Now we are back....back at home....back at work....and tomorrow, back at school. 


How will we share this message?  As Dan said, "We need to let go and jump out of the plane." 
In all reality, we came to the Quake just so we could leave.  We came to the Quake so we could be reminded of how we are REdefined.  We came to the Quake so that we could connect and reconnect and be sent from Harrisburg to share stories and laughter and the good news of Jesus Christ with others. 


What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happened in Harrisburg is meant to be shared. 
If you attended the Quake, be sure to tell someone about it. 
If you didn't attend the Quake, ask someone to tell you about it. 


Share the stories, listen to the stories and hear the amazing ways that God REdefines each of us because of the gift of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. 


Until the next post . . .

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