Endure. That was the theme for this year’s LCMS Youth Gathering held in New Orleans. The theme verses came from Hebrews 12: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

When we hear from that passage in Hebrews, we have a certain assurance that no matter what we encounter in life on this side of glory, we can endure faithfully until the end. However, it is not an endurance that is originally derived from our own human will or understanding. Rather, as the writer of Hebrews clearly states, we endure because of the endurance of Christ and his perfect and completed work on the cross. Because He endured the sin, shame, and sorrow of the cross, the fullness of the glory of God is revealed and we share in the glory, life, and light as the people of God redeemed by Christ Crucified. 

Our youth endured days of heat and humidity to serve the people of New Orleans. They learned about the struggles from hurricanes, tornados, and ongoing recovery efforts spanning decades. They heard the Word of God, they worshiped with youth and adults from across the world, celebrating Divine Service I and receiving communion with their brothers and sisters in the faith. They had a chance to grow in their understanding across a variety of topics related to life and faith and make new friends from all over. Most importantly, they continually heard about Christ, His life, His endurance, His death, and Hos resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of sins, life, and belonging in His name. 

Let us all join in this life of endurance, looking to Jesus as the foundation for all things in this life, even as we look forward to the life of the world to come. Let us cast aside every sin that clings so closely to us and let us receive the crown of life that comes to all of God’s people as we endure and finish our race here on this side of glory even as we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.