One of the most encouraging things you can do is to
participate.
Anyone can sit out. Anyone can laugh at others. Anyone can think, “This is stupid.”
Anyone can smirk. Anyone can say, “Psh.” Anyone can be negative.
Don’t be “anyone.”
Be encouraging. Be positive. Be nice. Be uplifting.
And be intentional. You should be encouraging on purpose.
Which means…here’s a really practical and real-life example…get involved in whatever game we do tonight. Decide right now that it will be a great game time, and that you’ll have a good time. I mean, seriously—stop reading and think this to yourself, “I’m going to love it tonight, whatever it is.”
You can be more of an encouragement than you realize when you just stop being negative.
When it’s your turn to run a game, you’ll appreciate the people who dive in there as volunteers. You’ll appreciate the people who aren’t snickering or muttering things under their breath to their friends. You’ll appreciate the people who don’t point at you and laugh. You’ll appreciate the people who say, “Thanks for doing that game. It was fun!” You’ll appreciate the encouragers. (The same goes for those of you who will lead singing on youth night, give a testimony in church, preach in class, etc.) You’ll focus on the distracting people, and you’ll get self conscious about the people who are laughing or aren’t having a good time.
Forget them, though. Forget the discouragers. They need to realize that fun is what you make it.
So choose right now to have fun. Choose to be an encourager. The games will
never be lame—even if it’s a lame game—as long as YOU choose for them to be fun.
-Bro. Ryan
1 Comment.
Nice article Ryan! Thank you. Even though I am not in the youth group – it applies to all ages.
This is kind of like what is going on at work now. Now that I asked God to forgive me for having a bad attitude at work – I am involved, engaged, positive and I love it. Praise God for giving me a reality check and humbling me!!
I say this all the time (even to the youth) that they are so lucky and blessed to have you and Jamie as their leaders in the youth group.
What a blessing you two are to our whole church family.
Thank you,
Sharon