Youth in the church

Three of our older youth (ages approximate 11, 10, 8) of the congregation started to sit on the front bench on the right during morning and the front on the left during evening services not long ago. (I sit on the second bench on the left.) So during evening services they sit on the front bench right in front of My husband ans I. The 10 year old was not up there in the evening. During the songs the 8 year old was singing and being very energetic in his song while the 11 year old was tapping his fingers on his book in time to the music "leading" the song along with the leader up front. During the lesson they were following along in their Bibles. The 8 year old, still learning were the books are, would look at his dad sitting at the far end of the bench or look back at John and me to see which way he needs to go, eventually getting to the passage just to turn to another one, but he never got (too) discouraged. I watched them a lot during this service (trying very hard to stay focused on the lesson)   I could not help but think through the whole services of the children who were brought to Jesus in Matthew 19:13-15 while being rebuked by His disciples (which they did a lot...hmm) he let them come and laid hands on them, I think this was to bless them. He took time out of his ministry to pay attention to the children. In verse 14 it says "for of such is the kingdom of heaven." When I read this I think Christ is saying they are the future of the church (if I am wrong about what this means please let me know this is just how I interpret what Christ is saying but still wonder if this is what it actually means). These children must learn from a young age about Christ and we must "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4.


These children encourage me to pay attention more and to have hearts like theirs. It reminds me of when I first became a christian and the zeal I had. Sometimes I have to re-evaluate myself and return to that beginning zeal. We need to be like these youth, in their innocence, humbleness and zeal to be like the adults serving Christ. When we do this we will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-5  "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." 

I know this is very random in thought but I would like to encourage all to evaluate themselves and start this week with zeal, humility, and a goal to serve God with all our might, encouraging and being an example to all those around us.