Teens years

You know, I sometimes think we adults have forgotten how complicated being a teen is. My heart is kind of heavy today- I say kind of, because there is nothing really wrong. And we just came through homecoming weekend, full of friends and dressing up, parades and dances.

But it was also full of drama, much of it hidden. On the same night that we shared beautiful pictures of our kids looking all grown up, we also know that feelings were hurt. Some of those kids cried themselves to sleep. Some left the party feeling rejected and alone. Some didn’t go, because they just had too much…something. Insecurity, doubt- who knows?

Different ages, different personalities, worries, insecurities. Illnesses and disabilities. Failures and closed doors and the betrayal of friends. No two teens are the same, but not one teen makes it through unscathed. My heart aches for them.

In today’s passage, we often (very appropriately) focus on how we love each other as an expression of God’s love for us. This week, though, I am struck by how John emphasizes over and over the security we have in our identity as the ones who are loved. One commenter said that a more true translation of verse 7 would be, “Those who are loved, let us love!” And it goes on from there.

“The love of God is made real”

“…not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son…”

God’s love can give us confidence in judgement, it can drive out fear, it can empower us to love others. So is it powerful enough, is it it real-world-effective enough to get our teens through these crazy, unpredictable, tumultuous years?

I think it is. I think God’s love is the only thing that truly is a strong enough anchor to keep our teens grounded through everything they have to face. And so today I pray that, through his power and grace, our kids would know- to the very core of their beings- that they are loved by our God.