Pieces of Me

By now, most everyone has heard about Ashlee Simpson's recent appearance on Saturday Night Live. During her second musical performance of the evening, she was exposed lip syncing when the track for the song "Pieces of Me," which she had just performed came on, rather than the song "Autobiography," which she intended to sing. (Full story)

I had never heard of Ashlee's song before this incident, but have heard it several times since. And, although one might not think much can be learned about Christian community from an Ashley Simpson song, I attended a junior high youth retreat this past weekend that proves otherwise. Our keynoter, Kristin Jack, did a masterful job of relating "Pieces of Me" and the Saturday Night Live incident to our part in the Christian community.

We all have pieces of our lives that make up who we are - experiences experiences we have had or roles that we play. At this retreat, I began to think about the pieces of who I am, and the pieces that I can offer to God and the church. I am student, a daughter, a friend, and a musician. I have experienced both the pain from loss of a loved one and the joy that comes with the birth of a friend's child. These roles and experiences all are pieces of who I am.

We in turn, are all pieces of God. God has created us, and we are a part of God through that creation. We all make up the body of Christ--a unique and diverse collection of people with vastly different experiences, gifts, and roles.

I think the most important idea that my youth took away from this weekend is that we are all pieces of the body of Christ regardless of our circumstances, and the church needs each and every one of us. Just because we are young doesn't mean we are any less important. We each have something unique to contribute, and our uniqueness is an important part of who we are. If we are all the same piece, how could we put together the puzzle? Which piece are you?

Michelle Harvick is in her third year as a HELM Leadership Fellow and is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arlington, Texas.