Devotional 10-12-07

Sunday, October 14, our church family will have the joy and privilege of celebrating Children’s Sabbath. This is one of only two Sundays each year we are invited – and given permission – to abandon the solemn “stuff” of adulthood and embrace the wonder-full worship experience of a service planned, prepared and offered by our precious children and youth.

How long has it been since we allowed ourselves to look at Jesus through the eyes of a child, to express our love for God with the tender heart of a trusting little one, to imagine what it would be like to meet our Lord face to face and talk with Him?

The students in our Sunday School Classes, from Kindergarten through High School responded to just such an imaginary meeting. As you read their varied – some serious, some humorous – questions and comments, imagine the incredible freedom of being able to sit with Him and discuss the longings of your heart as well.

• Do you love Scooby Doo?
• What is your favorite food?
• How do you tell time?
• When we received our Bibles, we were happy and excited!
• My favorite Bible stories are Noah’s Ark, Ruth and Naomi, and Samuel
• How does it feel to be living forever? Can I live forever?
• Why do people sin?
• Are there animals in Heaven?
• Are you happy when we sing?
• What color are your eyes?
• What did you do at church?
• Since you’re Spirit, can you give me strong muscles?
• Did you ever throw rocks when you were a kid?
• Where’s Waldo?
• Did you have a pet? What was its name?
• What do you do for fun?
• Thank you for – Everything!
• What’s your favorite color and why?
• What’s it like there? Is it different for each person?
• Do you like day or night better?
• Will you karaoke with me?
• Should we worry about what separates us from each other?
• Did you ever have a fist fight?
• Why is faith so hard?
• Sometimes I say things that aren’t very nice.
• Sometimes I don’t want to do the things I know I’m supposed to do.

At first glance, some of these questions and comments may appear a bit absurd, but if we’ll look deeper we can see that they are all offered as a means of establishing or reinforcing a relationship. How do we get to know someone unless we have some interaction? How can we build trust without personal experience? How can we open our hearts to another without the assurance of acceptance? Their authenticity is simple, honest and heartfelt.

“When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things [Jesus] was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?” (Matthew 21:15-16) The Message

If you had the opportunity to go back to your childhood, would you? The choice is yours – the possibility to do just that belongs to you Sunday morning – all you need to do is enter the Sanctuary with joy in your heart and a longing to be renewed as we celebrate and worship together as children of God.

Dear Father,
We are so grateful for the privilege of being a part of this wonderful family at Johnson Memorial – Your family. Thank You for the gifts of worship our children and youth are offering. Keep us mindful of how precious they are to You, and to us. And let us experience the love, peace and acceptance found if we would allow ourselves to become as authentic as our children, asking only to spend time with You. Amen.

Youth Sunday School class
Led by Linda Summers