Earlier this month, my church youth committee and I coordinated a youth gala. Many came out (and showed out — yes, ball gowns and suits!) to enjoy our live band and DJ, devour fine dining, win prizes in our many activities, flood the photobooth and enjoy each other’s presence.

Definitely a good time!

This was our third year holding the youth gala and needless to say, the duties didn’t get easier — especially when you’re preparing for a party of 130-150 people! There are a laundry list of things that have to get done and it ends up being a stressful process, no matter how hard you try not to get stressed lol.

In all the busyness or preparing for the gala, I’d have to shift my focus and anytime I felt “over it,” I had to remind myself why I was doing it.

We typically have a theme for each year.  For example, last year our dress code was silver and gold formal wear and the theme was Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness on the horizon. Those who lead many people to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” Get it, silver and gold…shine like stars?!

This year, our dress attire was black and white (hence, my black gown). We didn’t have a theme verse this year because quite frankly, I couldn’t think of one lol. But that doesn’t change the main purpose of the event.

Yes, the goal of the gala is to fellowship (meet someone new, further build old relationships and have fun), but the ultimate mission is to spread the Good News.

The purpose is to tell everyone there that they are loved, that they are worth dying for.

And that the Ultimate Act of Love was already done centuries ago by Jesus Christ. He took all of our sin and went to the cross with it. He died for us all with that dirty baggage and still lives, so that we can live again with Him. (If you have any questions, comment below or email me at adornedinarmor@gmail.com.)

As a Christian, when you have a platform such as that, you can’t not tell people about the love of Jesus. You can’t not tell them that they are not their pasts. You can’t not tell them they don’t have to come clean in order to approach God that already makes them new.

We had beautiful ministries that sang, danced, and played instruments that told stories of the Love that saved them. They were all young people, fully embracing and unashamed of who they were: Christians.

Contrary to belief, following Christ isn’t stuffy, guys! A true Christian isn’t stuck up and more concerned about religious practice than people. We were put here to draw all we come across to God, through love and  not condemnation.

I know, I’m saying “love” a lot! I don’t think I’ve ever said it this much lol. But anyway, I’m here to tell you that…

Your life is way more than what it seems.

You are here because you are loved. (There’s that word again!) You are all worth more than you can imagine and you are all here to serve a greater purpose.

And believers, no matter your gift, it is our duty to tell the world about the redeeming love of Christ. When you have the platform to tell people about the love of Jesus, you do it. It’s not just because you have to, it’s because it should excite you and you want to let your loved ones in on it! I’m reading Radical by David Platt and one quote stuck out to me, “We owe Christ to the world.”

Don’t allow busyness or anything you’re wrestling with sidetrack you from your calling — this is what you’re here for.

That’s as simple as black and white.