In a world where truth is questioned, ideals are challenged and doubted, and worldviews are often a revolving door, a firm foundation in faith can feel rather shaky. That is how youthful believers can feel at times. Young people are often pulled in many different directions by many different factors. Yet, what does the Word say about such a thing? Psalm 46:10–11 says this: “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” 

Amid the unknowns of this life, we are reminded that the God of Jacob is our fortress, and he calls us to be still. As we seek to guide students in the faith, we must remember to remind them that he is the promise keeper, he is the solid rock on which we stand, and he is our wonderful, impenetrable fortress.  

As a youth director for my congregation, I like to use this term to define my goal: “To shepherd students and partner with parents.” My time at FLBC was really the starting point in which I began to gain truly concrete guidance in forming that motto, which is grounded deeply in God’s Word. The biblical foundation I received at FLBC isn’t just important for what it has done for my leadership skills; it has deeply impacted my faith in a way that is hard to quantify.  

What did I learn about “being still” at Bible college? As humans, we fall miserably short of such a task at times, which is good to know because it points us to our need for a Savior! Look at the patriarchs of Israel. Were they unwaveringly still in the midst of trials? I think not. I fall short of God’s wonderful command and desire for my life often, just like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did. But, just like how God’s promises and blessings for them were not contingent upon their faithfulness, neither is the eternal promise and blessing of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection contingent on my abilities, either.  

These are some of the things I learned at FLBC that I desire to faithfully share with students in my role as a youth director at Ruthfred Lutheran Church. Stillness is a godly quality, one that is only able to be attained because of the work already done for us. I will leave you with these verses from Ephesians 2:8–10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

Coltin Cox [FLBC class of 2021]  
is the director of youth ministry at Ruthfred Evangelical Lutheran, Bethel Park, Pa.