Post by melinky on Jun 25, 2005 16:07:51 GMT -5
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ”
(Matt. 18:1-6, NIV)
While much of the Bible is new to me, this is a passage that I have become very familiar with; I have even been bold enough to think I understood its meaning. However, during this past week, I have found there is a lot more to this passage than I had realized.
I can truthfully say that one of my favorite weeks of the year is the week I spend volunteering at my church’s Vacation Bible School. As with every year at VBS, the main lesson is about God’s love for all of His children.
This year my class was made up of five boys and ten girls who will enter the third grade this fall; two of the boys were in the Kindergarten class I taught three years ago. During our time at VBS, these fifteen children have brought Jesus’ words to life for me through their actions and their words. The level of faith and understanding they exhibit is truly amazing. More than once I have found myself wondering who is teaching whom!
I feel so blessed, and I thank the Lord for placing me in a situation where I have enough vacation time to easily dedicate one week per year to the children in my church and community. I can say without a doubt that in this giving of my time, it is really myself who receives. This week has been a time of spontaneous hugs, little hands slipping into mine, faces shining with the glow of God’s love and pure joy. It has also been an awesome, humbling, and inspiring week. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and receive His blessing in this way.
I’ll leave you with one thought, if you’ve never volunteered at your church’s VBS, you are truly missing the opportunity of a lifetime. (This is true for men as well as women; teaching VBS is not just for women anymore.) Even if you work full time, dedicate a week of your vacation to VBS. Make the time to participate in this wonderful ministry and see how abundantly God blesses you for serving.
Yours in Christ,
Melinda
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ”
(Matt. 18:1-6, NIV)
While much of the Bible is new to me, this is a passage that I have become very familiar with; I have even been bold enough to think I understood its meaning. However, during this past week, I have found there is a lot more to this passage than I had realized.
I can truthfully say that one of my favorite weeks of the year is the week I spend volunteering at my church’s Vacation Bible School. As with every year at VBS, the main lesson is about God’s love for all of His children.
This year my class was made up of five boys and ten girls who will enter the third grade this fall; two of the boys were in the Kindergarten class I taught three years ago. During our time at VBS, these fifteen children have brought Jesus’ words to life for me through their actions and their words. The level of faith and understanding they exhibit is truly amazing. More than once I have found myself wondering who is teaching whom!
I feel so blessed, and I thank the Lord for placing me in a situation where I have enough vacation time to easily dedicate one week per year to the children in my church and community. I can say without a doubt that in this giving of my time, it is really myself who receives. This week has been a time of spontaneous hugs, little hands slipping into mine, faces shining with the glow of God’s love and pure joy. It has also been an awesome, humbling, and inspiring week. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and receive His blessing in this way.
I’ll leave you with one thought, if you’ve never volunteered at your church’s VBS, you are truly missing the opportunity of a lifetime. (This is true for men as well as women; teaching VBS is not just for women anymore.) Even if you work full time, dedicate a week of your vacation to VBS. Make the time to participate in this wonderful ministry and see how abundantly God blesses you for serving.
Yours in Christ,
Melinda