It is crazy for me to think it was a decade ago when I put my first Upstreet volunteer shirt on. I have had the joy of serving as a small group leader for over 5 years and now serve with the dream team that is 3rd-grade 9:15. However my experience and love for Upstreet started long before that. It all started one Sunday back in 2005 as I was walked into an extravagant hall at North Point Community Church as a little kindergartner. That one Sunday turned into every Sunday to follow. And I loved every minute of it because every week I knew I would be greeted by kind smiles and had incredible adults and high schoolers who were always anticipating my arrival at our little bright-colored circle. It was in that 5 year period in Upstreet where the foundations of my faith began to build. It was in Upstreet where I learned who Jesus was to me, how to love others, and to live obedient to God. I learned countless lessons from the engaging Bible story shared to the detailed production planned that was all tailored just for me right where I was to foster my personal faith. I had individuals invest in me week in and week out sharing about how great our God is.
Two of those incredible leaders I get to call my parents. And whether they realize it or not they are a part of my why: each week my parents would drop me off to go learn and I would turn around watch them then go diligently serve and live out those very teachings. Alongside my own incredible Upstreet small group leaders, my parents were beautiful and tangible examples of Jesus’ heart and how to live like Him is called to be others focus and a servant. So when I finally got old enough it was a no-brainer for me to want to get involved! Because after all that I had experienced and witnessed it was easy for me to see how living a life for the Lord and serving go hand in hand! My Why is because of the people in my life who commended His great works to me, I will joyfully commend His works to this next generation. I am here today with a faith of my own and with a lifetime long list of evidence of His faithfulness to me because of Upstreet and the student environments like it here at Gwinnett and because of the people who served wholeheartedly in these environments. I serve because at one time I was the kid who was planned for, prayed for and invested in here at Upstreet and it changed everything for me.
So with hindsight, here's a quick word of encouragement to two groups of people.
First To the parents/god parents/ aunts/uncles whose why is your kids/family: thank you. May you know the longevity of your serving, your kids might not vocalize their gratitude but they notice your heart, your consistency and you are helping them connect the dots in how to live and love like Jesus. They will remember.
Then to the high school students. Your yes to serve on Sunday cost you to live your Saturday night differently as well as every other day differently. But may you know that it is so worth it, that it has the potential to be the very catalyst to change and deepen your own relationship with the Lord. Because it was for me. When you prioritize and plan ways to serve like Jesus you will find it impacts your heart beyond just Sunday and your time on Upstreet but in your college and adult years too. You may find that you learn more through giving and serving than you could ever imagine.
So a Psalm shared from one generation to another: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
You are Made For More, too. Volunteering in our church is one way you can discover the more you are made for. Ready to find out what you were made for?
