Well, my name's Meghan Witzel. I've been attending YeZ for about 4 years, both services. This past Christmas was my first YeZ that I was involved in. I played one of the angels. Great fun, and easy, seeing as im angelic and all. hehe.

Anywho, this past March, I travelled to Mexico on a missions trip with 17 other youth. It was the experience of a lifetime, and my second missions trip. To all of you, while you're young...if you get the chance to go on a missions trip, take it! I can almost guarantee you won't regret it, and it will really shape your life.

While I was in Mexico, I was asked to do a devotion for one of the mornings. I chose to do it on encouragement.

I believe that on a missions trip encouragement is so key. When you think about it though, when ISN'T encouragement key?? Anywhere in life it can help things run smoothly. It really can.

There's a verse in the bible that reads "Therefore encourage one another just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thes 5:11). Check it out. Encouragement is often thought of as a spiritual gift. We all have different spiritual gifts. They can all be used in different areas of our lives, and are so great for serving the Lord.

Encouragement is a spiritual gift that I really think we all have. Sure we all may not have a way with words, but so what! Those of us who do, can tell someone how great they are, that their work is awesome, or remind them that God loves them. What about people who like to write? Come on girls, how many notes do you write to your friends/boys while "paying attention to the teacher?" Why not send some kind encouraging words their way as you do it?

Encouragement can also come in the form of a simple smile. Smiles are contagious, we all know that. It's a way to encourage a passing stranger, and possibly make their horrible day without even realising it. Send those smiles folks!

It's easy to feel cheesy sometimes, by patting someone on the back and saying "Way to go" or "Keep up the great work!". Feel cheesy then! You're encouraging someone for their sake, not yours right? We all gotta feel a little cheesy sometimes, it can be fun lol.

What about that kid who sits alone at the caf. table? You/your friends could make that person's day with one small conversation, don't you think? You never know, that person could be really cool, and worth talking to again, and hanging out with. Maybe they didn't know about God, and maybe it's an opportunuty set smack dab infront of you. Maybe it just has to start with you encouraging them, by taking the time to say hello, and ask them how they are.

In my life recently, waiting for a job phone call has been really hard. However, through others encouragement, God spoke through them reminding me that he has a plan for me this summer and that I need to put it in his hands. I believe God truly shines through people when they encourage one another.

So......
I encourage you to find your comfort zone in the different forms of encouragement, and ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER! Our world could use some encouragement, couldn't it?

Think about the drama and where characters were encouraged and/or where more encouragement could have really helped.

Thank you, and Good Night lol.

(Meghan Witzel is 16 years old, from Kitchener, Ontario)