The "Dear" Letters – The Student

Dear Students!

Can I first just say, I totally feel you. You may not realize this, but us youth pastors and your teachers LOVE summer. Like, seriously. Summer is the best thing since sliced cheese. If you’re trying to figure out a career track, be a teacher. It’s awesome. Better yet, give up everything you know and be a youth pastor. Even cooler job. The point of all this, I totally get how you feel, we’re bummed too. We too like lighter schedules and laying at the beach. 

But how about this? This year could be a new beginning for you! I know there’s all this drama, but what if you didn’t participate in it? What if you simply went to school and focused on your work, not the queen of crying? Or, better yet, befriend him or her and find out what it is that person is personally going through. Youth pastors love hearing your stories, and you’d be surprised at how good it feels to help someone else figure out their CRAP! 

I know books suck, but books are cool. Ridiculous, right? I know, I know, but hear me out. One of the most exciting things I discovered while in college was the fact that education can actually be exciting and beneficial. And when I discovered that, I actually fell in love with books. Facebook feeds are entertaining (can I get an “Amen!” for that?) but it takes more than a few seconds to “post a book” to this world. You might be able to post something witty in a few seconds on Facebook, but Authors go through months and months of research to provide you with the book you have in front of you. And that information can be cool. Why not get a jump start, and ask your parents about their history? Who was the hottest girlfriend or boyfriend they had in high school? What class did they hate the most? What was the most rebellious thing they did when they started driving? You’d be surprised how much you actually have in common! 

Just because school has started doesn’t mean video games are COMPLETELY off the table. Just ask your youth leader to hold a night to network all your 360’s together or your PS3’s. They can make those types of things happen, you know ... But doing the work does pay off. I know that 13 + x - 7y = 35 means nothing now, but there will be days in your life where you actually use that equation. So take your studies seriously, because each day that you fail is another day you can’t take back. My high school is full of regrets (of studying), and every day you lose is another day you can’t get back. The time to get serious is now. 

So as I get back to my serious work, hear this from God. “My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.” God wants the very best for you, the very best for this year, and he wants you to succeed. Give everything to Him in prayer, and he will never give you more than you can handle. And in that, you will grow into an amazing young adult. Be well! 

Grace & Peace, 
– Your Youth Pastor

Bonus Question: What is "X" and what is "Y"?