I have worked with youth since 1982. Frequently, adults ask (especially parents of teenagers) what keeps me from quitting. Their questions take various forms, but they all boil down to one basic query: How do you keep doing it? In other words, "How do you put up with teenagers' selfishness, loud music, drama, junk food, gossip, late nights and bad attitudes?" I have one simple answer every time: They keep me young.

Sure, I could live without ever going to another high-school football game. Yes, their music is pretty loud at times. I will admit that sharing a bathroom with eight other high-school girls, even for just a camp weekend, can try my nerves. However, just as quickly I can point out the great things they bring to the mix: laughter, energy, occasional wonder, and my favorite: their youthful idealism.

Idealism. My old-age cynicism looks at chronic problems, such as homelessness or world hunger and just wants to shut down because I am so overwhelmed by the magnitude of need. Young people hear about these problems through speakers, videos or face-to-face encounters; and their hopeful optimism causes them to think -- as if the idea never occurred to anyone else -- "Hey, we have to do something about this!"

Before long, plans start flowing; fundraisers take shape; the students surf the Internet for more information; occasionally on-campus clubs are formed at school as a result. The students actually convince me we can do something about it! Their influence on me makes me young at heart once again! More importantly, I am refreshed as I see the truth and power of the gospel message taking hold in their young lives. It really is "good news."

In turn, the youth group then becomes a great team; the leaders and I come with our experience at organizing and running things and combine with the students and their earnest, faith-filled belief, plus a large dash of risk-taking thrown in for good measure! As Jesus says in the gospels, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).

In my own experience, this combination of teenagers and adults working together in our church to change the world in the name of Jesus has birthed several service trips to Central America, raised funds week by week for years to fight the plight of the "invisible children" of Uganda, and maintained monthly chapel services at the local rescue mission. I am a better person and a deeper lover of the Lord because of the idealistic faith of young people.

Most people who've worked with youth also know how easily distracted they can be from their earnest endeavors. Like raccoons around bright shiny objects, their eyes are quickly drawn away to something else. Our job as youth pastors is to help them stay focused. For me, the question is, "How can I keep things fresh and foster consistency?"