Yesterday I went to youth group a little bit tired, and to be honest, not expecting much. The Finance Committee meeting immediately following youth group was more on my mind than what was right in front of me. But I have to say I left youth group with a big smile on my face, with excitement, and I even felt personally renewed in my faith and commitment to the church.

Yesterday evening was a gloomy night with thunderstorms passing through. The lightning was pretty severe as the time came for our devotion. We often watch one of Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos as a devotion and conversation starter, but we decided not to because of the storm. That meant that we suddenly had no plan other than eating pizza and playing games. I decided to have us turn to 1 Timothy 4:11-14:

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift , which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (TNIV)

We ended up having a great conversation about how they as young people can set an example for the rest of the church. But that wasn’t even the coolest part. After our discussion, I mentioned that we were not going to have our annual Fall Festival because nobody volunteered to coordinate it. They were really disappointed because they were going to help out, and they felt bad for the young kids who always seem to enjoy it. So, they asked if they could do it. All of it. We talked about the responsibility that would be involved and what would be required, and once they knew what they were getting into, they still wanted to do it.

Just awesome. A great example of giving of self out of love for others. And what a great way to live out what we had just been talking about as far as not letting people look down on you because you are young, and setting an example for the church.

Yesterday was an inspiring and reinvigorating experience. And all I did was show up. All I had to do was witness a group of young people opening themselves up to God.

Praise God.