by alan andersen

Well, here we are, its already that time. The time when Seattle is arguably the most beautiful place! I say that whole-heartedly I love this city, especially the Westside. We have Alki, a view of snow-capped mountains, Easy Street Records serving us the “Johnny Cash” special and MHC West Seattle Campus! What more could one ask for? I still remember when Sarah and I were asked to transition over to the Westside to head up the youth department, from attending in Ballard. Needless to say we were uncertain, but as always God knows the big picture. We have been here about a year now and have loved every moment of it. It is truly amazing how God can ignite the passion he has put in us, no matter our age, race, gender or income. He has designed us so perfectly that when we are in tune with His desires and being Spirit led, it seems nothing can stop us. I just wanted to take a moment and hit on this, and how imperative it is we – from young to old, scrapping by to well off or even introverted to extraverted – truly seek God and ask Him for direction in the life that he has given us and what that purpose looks like.

The other night, during Proxy, we nailed it. That being in relationship with Jesus Christ is not merely salvation at the end of our physical days, yet salvation is being completely and utterly satisfied with Him! As Dr. John Piper so perfectly sums up, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him”. I drove this point home with the high school students because how many times walking through the halls of school or in the classroom we felt unsatisfied with our attire, appearance or even abilities, which are all God given. We seem to be unsatisfied with what God had given us, maybe some of us feel that same way even now! Whether we are adolescents or adults, we must think outside the “box” of life that we are trying to get by in, refocus and even recalibrate our motives for doing or acting in the manner that we do! Why is it you do what you do, why get up early in the morning, why eat three square meals a day, why go to work. Bottom line: WHY? Is this so you can get ahead financially, stay physically fit, be mentally acute? Do we really live as if the very breath in our lungs at this moment is God given, Jesus redeemed and Spirit led? If we answer honestly, we would probably say “no” or “I have room to grow. If we fall into one of the two categories, we are much like Ecclesiastes 2:26. Even as I write now, I am reminded of Ephesians 3:14-19 where Paul states he is in hope, (a *biblical hope) for his fellow brothers and sisters – that is you and me also – to come to a true realization of the Glory of God!! If we only knew a portion of the Glory of God, we would be immensely changed forever, yet how short term our memories truly are, we have “mountain top” experiences, then after time the reality of the Creator of the Universe slips our mind.

My hope is to use this platform as an opportunity to nail down the importance of not only our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as He truly is the Author and Perfector of our faith, yet as well as significance of youth in the church, and specifically in the West Seattle Campus.  We whole-heartedly agree with Proverbs 22:6 which shows very simply – yet clearly – how to a raise a godly child.  As the youth department on the Westside continues to gain traction and grow by His grace, I want to reinforce that Proxy/Crux are not the parents or even legal guardians of the youth, yet we are to supplement the teaching, modeling, loving and faithfulness instilled into each youth God entrusts us with.  I say all of this because, I pray daily for the youth, parents and counterparts of each individual correlated within West Seattle, as it is ultimately up to Jesus and the moving of the Holy Spirit to allow us unity with Him.  As we walk through this process, we are constantly looking for available hearts and hands to partner with the Westside youth department.  I would encourage those of you who might fit into this category to prayerfully consider what that partnership may look like.  It could be helping out with your time, prayers, finances or even resources.  As always, there is a lot of work that needs to be done and few laborers to participate.  We are diligently attempting to reach this community, yet to do so successfully we must team together.  If youth doesn’t seem to be the correct fit, simply seek out other areas of opportunity where you could be a tremendous help by checking out the link labeled “start serving” and be the difference you were created to be!

As I conclude this simple note, I would pray, ask and even request that we as followers of Jesus Christ, attendees of the Westside campus and eventually by God’s grace members of Mars Hill Church West Seattle not only attempt a fulfilling life, but attempt even now a relentless pursuit of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit for God’s glory and our Joy which we do not deserve in the slightest.

*[Not a modern since of hope, “I hope I get home in time for the season finale of Lost”. If you are unaware of any difference of our modern day meaning of hope and the biblical meaning of hope, I strongly recommend doing a word search study on biblical hope and its godly implications]