“Entering the world of teenagers can be terrifying.” Drew Hill speaks real truth in the opening sentence of Chapter Six of his book Alongside. Recently, a post on Facebook caught my attention. I don’t remember exactly what it said, but it had a picture of the back of a school bus full of kids. The caption focused on the anxiousness of being behind the bus, knowing the “cool kids” were sitting in the back making fun of you.

It doesn’t hit me every time I pull up behind a school bus. But I can admit the feeling of nervousness twists my stomach as the back seat eyes cast their vision to my car. I wonder what they are saying? Then I stop myself, catching my thoughts, and coming back to reality. I am 31. These teenagers cannot hurt me. Nonetheless, my body feels the wreckage of anxiousness.

Is high school the best time of our lives?

Middle and high school life do not top my list of favorite seasons. When people refer to high school as the “best time of their life” – I truly cannot comprehend the idea of enjoying high school. My experience included classmates who had no desire to learn, boys who didn’t understand boundaries, and girls who loved spreading lies. Yet, when I walk into a classroom of 18-year old college freshman, the tension is much of the same as high school.

I’ve spent some time with our local YoungLife Chapter. (Never heard of YoungLife, check them out here.) While YoungLife has college components, the primary focus of the ministry began with high school students. My connection came when a college student served as a leader. He invited me to attend a club night when he would be speaking. I sat in the parking lot watching high schoolers run into the gym. Thoughts raced in my mind, am I dressed cool enough? What should I talk to them about? How do I say hi? I’m the weird old person here. Paralyzed, I waited until the clock struck the start time, and finally walked into the building.

The feeling didn’t go away either. I stayed on edge throughout the lighthearted games, worship, and listening to my young friend speak. “We get so caught up focusing on the fears that we forget the good news of the gospel” (Drew Hill, Alongside, p. 31). I stayed so consumed by my anxiousness, I never looked outside of myself the entire night. What could have been an opportunity to carry the light of Christ, I turned into isolation and crippling self-doubt.

Standing in front of Teens

Somehow, those same humans who are 18 and in high school who wreck my confidence in their domain, give me life when they enter the college campus. I can’t fully explain it as I don’t understand it. Honestly, my best guess for the shift is power. High school was never my comfort zone. College… college is a different story. I loved attending college. I love helping others attend college and working with college students.

On the first day of class, I make a pretty wild statement for some students in the room. After we review the syllabus and policies for the class, I move into a time of community – getting to know each other. As students share ice breaker information with the class, I share about my heart for teaching and spending the semester with them. Ultimately, the anxiousness I feel when being in a high school environment shares similar physical traits as excitement. As I stand in front of my new class each semester (of mostly teenagers), my heart races with excitement to know them. My stomach twists into knots as I think about how we will grow together this semester. The palms of my hands get sweaty, hoping they meet me in the middle.

On the last day of class, I try to remind them of our opening day together. Then follow it up with this, because you were mine this semester, you are always mine. I will care about your successes, celebrations, and heartaches. Reach out. Keep in touch. Don’t stay away for too long.

Stay Strong

Stepping into the world of teenagers is, in fact, terrifying. It can bring back every negative moment experienced in your middle and/or high school days. However, if you are called into the lives of kids, our mission is to carry the light of Jesus with us. He will do the rest.

He [Jesus] nicknames the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, which in Greek is a combination of two words – para, meaning alongside, and kletos, meaning called. One called to your side is translated a dozen different ways by biblical scholars: Helper, Encourager, Advocate, Counselor, True Friends, and the One Who Comes Alongside.

Drew Hill, Alongside, p. 42

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