Go Out of Your Comfort Zone

Kelsey is a remarkable young disciple from our Church Community who I caught up with at Holy Trinity School on January 31. Her message to the younger kids there was to go out of their “comfort zones” and get involved at Church.

When Kelsey asked for a show of hands of those who had attended Vacation Bible School, almost every hand shot up. When she asked the assembly if it was fun, the whole room seemed to shout out, “Yeah.” “If you haven’t been, that’s a great place to start and make awesome new friends,” said Kelsey, “I’ve been going since 7th grade and this past summer, I stepped out to meet even more people.” She mentioned opportunities such as The Bridge, Crossroads and more – but she shared most fervently about Wednesday Night Live and the Confirmation Retreat she attended.  One earlier event she mentioned turned into pretty much a “food fight” – sounds like fun (if you’re a kid)!

 

When considering WNL, at first, she was reluctant to take the step of “going out”; asking her audience if they ever felt what it was like to “go to a party and your best friend’s not there.” Too many heads to count nodded, “yes.” That concern about feeling isolated was what at first held Kelsey back from going to WNL, and so going there was “totally stepping out of the comfort zone” for her.

But it was the sense of informality, fun and camaraderie that opened her up to more new adventures and events. She made some new friends on the ski trip she took, but she was also at the point in her own journey of faith where she wanted more – more connection, more meaning, more “reason to be Catholic.”

It was at Confirmation Retreat that she made the decision to get more involved at Good Shepherd, because, “When you’re younger you depend on your parents to take you places. But in High School, as you start driving, you’re also pretty much the ‘driver’ of how involved you are as a Catholic.” Between her junior and senior years, Kelsey’s decision was to step out of her own comfort zone and become involved by choice “instead of obligation.”

Even “Youth for Life” came up in Kelsey’s talk. Even though she was not among those from GSCC who attended March for Life in D.C., attending the Bishop’s Pro-Life Dinner last year was yet another opportunity for fellowship with other teens and more discipleship in concert with one another.

Friends Kelsey has made through Good Shepherd ministries, WNL and all kinds of youth events have become more important and lasting because those friendships are based in “trust, faith, God and love – those things that are really important and will last.” “Whatever Church you go to,” says Kelsey, “just get involved; you’ll meet people you can trust and awesome friends – friendships that will go on past graduation.”

 Next week, we will present another story of Evangelization here at Good Shepherd.

What Does the Bible Say?

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

— 1 Timothy 4:12

“Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

— 2 Timothy 2:22

Evangelizing Challenge This Week

If you are younger than 13 and have an older brother or sister, ask them how they get involved in Good Shepherd. Or if you are the older sibling, take the initiative and tell your brothers or sisters how you are involved at Good Shepherd.  

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