JUST "DO" IT

Kids are like rubber bands - you can stretch them and stretch them and they don't break! They love to take in new ideas, new thoughts and concepts - if presented right. Most children are pretty smart. They can achieve so much if given the right mix of education and encouragement coupled with knowing which learning "buttons" to push and what their specialty is!

You've all heard and believe that God has a plan for our lives. Most people don't find that out until they are in mid life. Some are blessed enough to discover their calling in their early twenties. As I thought about this, I wondered, could CHILDREN know their destiny early on? Is it possible? Through Scripture and prayer, God spoke volumes to me, then put it into practice within my children's ministry.

I began asking Him for insight into each child's life, and He showed me their strengths. As I prayed for each child, their talents and callings began to come to the forefront, and I was able to detect glimpses of anointing on them. God directed me to begin feeding those anointings, allowing them opportunities to learn in different areas of ministry. The results were amazing!

One would show an aptitude for helps. We made him the head of our ushers department in our children's ministry. With that responsibility, he grew into a leader, serving other kids during offering, registering guests and helping with setup and tear down each week. He also taught others how to minister, helping him learn to lead others with compassion and patience.

When he became a teen, he automatically knew what to do for the youth group and was a tremendous blessing to all, including the youth pastor! He now serves as an usher in the adult worship time and in other service areas. He completely understands his role, and is a huge asset to the church community, his anointings being used continually for the Kingdom.

We've had others who've formed a children's worship team and rock the house each week! Still other children who run the sound, overheads, videos, computers, intercede, produce monthly newletters, and even preach! All we had to do was ask God who had the talents and giftings and where should they be working, and He was faithful to show us.

Kids are capable of so much, and we don't give them enough credit! If we want to make a difference in a kids life, in our church, in our city, in our country and in our world, let's get on board and start pouring into our children's lives NOW - while they're young! Pro 22:6  says,  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (KJV).

I've seen the effects of training up these kids - they know their calling early on, so there's no time wasted, they're more effective, experienced, settled, more at peace, happier, and focused. I'd want one of them as my doctor, pastor, or president! Pray for your kids, grandkids and those entrusted to you at church. Ask the Lord to show you where you could begin to start pouring into their future calling or anointing. He WILL show you, why wouldn't He? Then thank Him for His gift of the future in kids!

Karen’s calling is to bring children into the manifest presence and glory of Jesus, lead them in experiencing His deep abiding love, clear unmistakable voice, wise Godly direction for their lives, and to ignite a spirit-led passion for serving Him in many ways at any age.

She is available for children’s and adult conferences, retreats, church dates, camps, leadership training and regional equipping sessions. Fire For the Nations hosts a summer camp for kids and periodic kids mission trips during the year. Her first book, Kids Can! will be released soon. For more information, contact her at Karen@fire4thenations.com or go to www.fire4thenations.com