It was the end of the fourth day of Vacation Bible School. We were all tired, even the kids, but it was the day when the Gospel was shared and the invitation for children to accept Jesus as their Savior was given. It was a big day. I sat in a pew among the children as the pastor prayed, then I listened as they shared with their friends and adult leaders.
Having participated in VBS since I was young, this invitation in this building in these pews was nothing new. Neither was getting up to lead the children in the power ballad song of the week, a song about the glorious name of Jesus and His power to be our Solid Rock amidst our worries. This song was familiar to the children, so they sang the words and made the motions with ease.
What I wasn’t prepared for was how I would be overcome by their gentle hand motions, sincere faces, and sweet voices singing about Jesus. I realized God gave me a gift in that moment.
He revealed His love for me by letting me experience His love for others. . . for those children.
I’m thankful they knew the song so well, because all I could do was mouth the words. These children did not need to see what it looks like when I messy-cry, and that’s the only thing that would have happened if I attempted to produce sound.
What a gift God blessed me with in that moment.
Because here’s the thing: I’ve been praying, asking God to show me how He wants me to serve. All week, I felt irrelevant and didn’t know why I was an extra adult body simply taking up space.
And then God gave me a gift. He showed me His love for these children, all the while reminding me that I’m still His child, as old as I am (not any taller, just older).
Throughout Scripture, we read about God as our Father, loving us and providing for us as His children:
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1a ESV
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 ESV
I am continuously thankful that not only does God show His love for me as His child, but He uses me to show His love to others. His using me is a gift, one I hope not to take for granted. May we look for God’s gifts as we serve, recognizing Him as Father, no matter our age.
About the Author:
Kim is a teacher, musician, worship leader, daughter, sister, runner, kickboxer, beach reader, and lover of God’s Word.
