This spring, I was in Panama City Beach. The setting is the quintessential college spring break trip: UV rays, loud music, salty air, and plenty of fun happening up and down the beach. It was my very first Young Life College Spring break trip. As the freshman Young Life College Divisional Coordinator, I went to learn, observe, and help as much as I could.
I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I have been to hundreds of weeks of Young Life camp, and was told that this would have similar elements, but catered to a more mature crowd. I was told that free time would abound, as college students appreciate a little less program and more time just “hanging out.”
As is tradition at a week of Young Life camping, students were given twenty minutes to consider a relationship with Jesus. To reflect on His sacrifice and what it might mean for them. I went out to the beach ahead of this time, to make sure we were all set, as our speaker shared about the cross. One by one, students trickled to the beach and anyone with eyes on that shoreline witnessed something truly spectacular. What I experienced though, was beyond that.
Let me preface by sharing, I had found out, earlier that day, that my flight, for later in the week, would likely be cancelled due to weather, and I would need to reschedule. It just so happened that during those same twenty minutes, American Airlines returned a phone call that I had been waiting for, and I needed to take it. The resort we were staying at was just behind us on the beach and so I quickly walked through to the other side of the resort, and stood on the sidewalk of the main drag in Panama City Beach. At this point it was 9:30 pm and the crowd on that side of the resort was picking up. It was likely what you might picture a debaucherous college Spring Break to look like. A sea of humanity, loud, laughing, and in some ways….Lost.
To be honest, I could barely pay attention to what the ticket agent was saying. Not because I was shocked by what I was seeing; I was in college many years ago, and that was the norm then. You see, I had walked no more than 50 feet, and the stark contrast of what was happening on one side of the resort, to what was happening on the other, was drastic.
I couldn’t get back to the other side fast enough. As a matter of fact, I wanted to take everyone on the street with me. I wanted them to come and see. I wanted them to know that life can be so much more full than what they were heading towards. It also made me thankful for the 350 that were sitting on the beach, and the ministry of Young Life College. Another option was given to them that week, and they jumped at it. They may have heard “Panama City Beach Spring Break Trip” and thought “oh yea, sign me up,” without even knowing what they were coming to.
We live in a world where both sides of the resort exist. One side truly offers life to the full, the other promises that, but always falls short. For those of us who know this life, we desire for those on the other side to join us. We can’t stop going to the other side and inviting students in. I have a dear friend who reminds me that the stakes are much too high.
Written by Brigit Mustaine