How a Lutheran minister reminded me of why I will listen and connect with children and teens and why you should too.

In Walter Isaacson’s book. “Steve Jobs” the author tells of a pivotal moment in the Apple Founder’s teen years.

When I read this account I was reminded again why I stop and give answers when asked questions by young people.

“Even though they were not fervent about their faith, Jobs’s parents wanted him to have a religious upbringing, so they took him to the Lutheran church most Sundays. That came to an end when he was thirteen. In July 1968 Life magazine published a shocking cover showing a pair of starving children in Biafra. Jobs took it to Sunday school and confronted the church’s pastor. “If I raise my finger, will God know which one I’m going to raise even before I do it?”

The pastor answered, “Yes, God knows everything.”

Jobs then pulled out the Life cover and asked, “Well, does God know about this and what’s going to happen to those children?”

“Steve, I know you don’t understand, but yes, God knows about that.”

Jobs announced that he didn’t want to have anything to do with worshipping such a God, and he never went back to church. He did, however, spend years studying and trying to practice the tenets of Zen Buddhism. Reflecting years later on his spiritual feelings, he said that religion was at its best when it emphasized spiritual experiences rather than received dogma. ”

Excerpt From: Walter Isaacson. “Steve Jobs.” iBooks.

The Lutheran minister in Steve Job’s church missed an opportunity to make a difference.

I do not want to miss an opportunity.

I want to hear the hard questions. I want to listen to a person figuring out their crisis of faith and offer biblical answers I want to point to precepts when they exist. I want to share biblical principles when they apply. I want to point to when something is a preference and the wisdom of moving a personal fence-line far from the edge of what I perceive may lead to sin

I want our young people to have someone who will always listen with love, answer their questions, and point them to truth. I want young people to know their value to God at this age in life

If you dismiss a young person, you ignore their questions, and do not give satisfactory answers who will you drive away from God?

Who have you driven away from God?