Written by Shawn LaVie of Mermaid, PEI

I remember peer pressure when I was a teenager, the constant need to fit in. I would try to make my hair look like the cool kids, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get it to look right. I remember the constant worry of how I was perceived by my peers. I can only imagine how much harder this must be for teens and youth in today’s society, especially with the added hardships that Christianity can bring. My admiration truly goes out to you all. In my day there were cassette tapes and New Kids on the Block. In your day there is digital media, the internet and Justin Bieber. It may seem like worlds apart (and in many ways it is) but we would have faced similar struggles in our adolescents and youth.

The desire to fit in never goes away. However, the ability to work through this will get better over the years, and you will grow from the experience.

As a Christian, right now, you are learning skills that you will carry into adulthood.

I’d like to give a shout out to all youth who persevere in the face of adversity! And even to those who may struggle to persevere, you also deserve a shout out. You deserve to give yourselves a pat on the back and feel good about being a Christian during a difficult age in your life.

You are all the future of Christianity, and your light shines bright in churches and across the world. Enjoy these years no matter how awkward they may feel, or how long you may feel you have to struggle to find yourself.