Needed

Whether we have known Jesus for a long time or a little while, we know that being part of His bodythe churchis important. But we may mistakenly think we can't be important members until we are adults. Fortunately, I wasn't even a teenager yet when I learned that was not true. I grew up in a very small church, where there were never enough adults to do everything. That was good for mewhen they let me become a Sunday school teacher at only twelve years old. Obviously, they felt desperate. No adult was available, so they were kind of stuck. The crazy thing is that I loved it, the little kids loved me, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved telling the kids about the God who loved them, and the class grew. I learned that I was an important part of the body of Christ. The church needed me, and I needed them. You're probably not part of such a small church as I was. You may not see obvious needs in front of you. But look for ways that you can plug yourself in. Your church needs you, and you need the spiritual growth that will come from volunteering. This will require you to depend on the Holy Spirit in ways you may not have done intentionally before. Think about things at church that you could do and enjoy doing. Serve coffee? Sing in the choir? Help in Vacation Bible School? Ask God to show you where He wants to use you and watch Him bless you! •Lisa Bouma Garvelink Have you ever felt that church is more for your parents' generation than for yours? Have you ever wished you fit in more there? How can you start to change that in little ways by volunteering, by being the active part of the body of Christ God created you to be? Don't let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (CSB) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20; Colossians 3:23