The Life Experience

Currently listening to: Church Music - David Crowder Band

This weekend was comprised of friends, faith, and fun.

Friends. Spending quality time with friends is something that is purely invaluable. Strengthening friendships, making new ones, and restoring damaged ones. Purely by the grace and mercy of God. Having relationships with people that are real, and deep are essential to life. We were created as relational beings, we desire relationships. These relationships are meant to be lasting and ones that allow us to be vulnerable and authentic with each other. I am so very thankful for the friends that I have and for how God has placed them each in my life for specific reasons.

Faith. Being surrounded by a few hundred college Young Lifers this weekend automatically means there are going to be great stories of faith, hardship and conquering. There are people all around us that are hurting, and hurting bad. Yet they cover it up, they are able to put on a mask and appear like nothing is wrong. Here is where I see the great thing that Young Life allows to happen. By simply loving each other, and making friends through just having fun allows walls to be broken down. Once these walls are broken down we are able to engage with each other, per the confidence that was established via love. At this stage we are able to be vulnerable with each other and see where there is hurt and pain in our lives. Opening up, we have entrusted each other, and we are able to relate to each other in real situations. We find that lots of people around us struggle with the same exact things. This allows us to relate to each other in ways that allow us to encourage and motivate and know that these struggles and baggage in our lives and can be conquered.

It was so amazing to see hundreds of Young Life leaders from around the state, that compile what is College Young Life, come together. They were huddled together praying for each other, praying over each other and embracing each other. How amazing it was to see the young leaders of the valley coming together. These people are making a huge impact in our valley for Christ and the Gospel.

Fun. Lost Canyon, in Williams, is an amazing facility. So much to do, nestled in a small valley. Such a perfect place to let everything go, and embrace God's masterpiece that is nature. So many activities, and opportunities to create friends and build relationships here.