Love is the one thing that DID change the world! Do we believe that it still could change the entire world again? I believe it would if we only knew how to apply it.
Love is one of the most used - and misused - words in our language. It has been applied equally to people and things. "I love my girlfriend," or "I love my iPhone." The same word has totally different meanings. But how does it really work; especially in the context of youth leader networking?
Here is what the true source of love tells us.
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." -John 15: 11-15 (The Message)
Sacrifice
It seems so simple when Jesus commands us to love one another! However, this kind of love is not Cupids and hearts, it is more like "Saving Private Ryan." Jesus modeled love by laying His life down for those He called friends. And it was just as bloody as the movie! Love is not a transaction or an emotion. It is putting others first and building them up, even if it means setting aside your own goals and ambitions.
I used to belong to a youth leaders' small group where we meet for building community and studying Scripture. One Memorial Day weekend our small group helped another youth pastor move out of his third-story apartment. He had a 250-pound desk that was in his loft. We hoisted that beauty down 15 feet and then navigated a narrow stairwell. We laughed while we strained and grunted - to a successful conclusion, I might add! Sacrificial love is giving time and strength to help another in need.
Friendship
Jesus calls us friends, not servants. Jim Britts, my former network leader, said this: "You gotta be friends before you can partner." We met because we genuinely wanted to be together, and checked our egos and logos at the door. BBQs, beach nights, dinners together, lunches, disc golf, football in the park, campus ministry, laser tag, concerts, leader retreats, prayer nights, hikes, camping, bocce ball, baseball games, axe throwing, archery, hunting, Catan and card games are just some of the things my network friends did together. The love we shared became a Christ-like model that influenced teenagers to do the same..
Joy
Experiencing Jesus' love gives us joy. Sometimes, it is the "joy-despite-going-to-the-cross" kind of joy. As our joy matures, our network matures, and the partnerships lead to more teenagers transformed by the love of Christ. Here is one example.
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania a group of youth leaders who loved and trusted each other, decided to enter into a radical partnership - they chose to meet as one virtual youth group during COVID! Youth leaders from multiple denominations equipped teenagers to share their ministry and interests. Wayne Morgan tells how much joy everyone had as they worked together to bless their groups during the shut-down in Pennsylvania. This may not be the exact DNA that God intends for your area, but it illustrates how many possibilities are possible when our networks mature in love.
Action
I remember the classic dcTalk song, "Luv is a verb." In a year where love has been bombarded by so much division, how can you act on the sacrifice, friendship and joy of love? Reach out to another youth leader in your community. Join together virtually and begin networking if you have not already. Perhaps 2021 needs the love that ONLY Jesus and his followers can bring.
You can make the change that love brings in your community!