The Gift of Being a Beginner

Dear Friends,

There are certain projects that, no matter how many times I tackle them, I still find myself a beginner each time. This truth struck me again recently, as Nicole and I begin to move our belongings down from Connecticut. Every piece of Ikea furniture we have assembled reminds me of this feeling. Some items are identical to ones I’ve put together many times before. Nevertheless, each time I sit down to assemble them, my mind draws a blank and I become a beginner all over again. Yet, there is great value in being a beginner—if one can admit they do not already possess the knowledge needed for the task.

I am trying to keep this in mind as I step into my new role. While I have assembled many youth groups in my lifetime, building a youth group is not quite like putting together Swedish furniture. There may be straightforward organizational principles, but at its heart, building a youth group is an art—an art of connection, trust, vulnerability, and, hopefully, joyful celebration. This kind of community doesn't come off an assembly line. It is shaped by the leadership of the Holy Spirit and by the hands of those willing to follow His guidance. Here is where being a beginner truly helps. A beginner eagerly seeks guidance. The book of James tells us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

As it turns out, "God helps those who help themselves" isn’t really the best advice. The good news is that God helps anyone who, in even a fleeting moment of humility, admits they cannot help themselves. They need help from the most generous source—the God of love, who never scorns those searching for guidance. Perhaps you, too, are facing a new challenge and feel at a loss. If so, there may be an opportunity in that moment: the chance to seek the God who delights in coming to the aid of His beloved creation.

Fr. Rob Lofberg