Despite the World it Was Still VBS Week

In a little over a week nine precious people, worshiping in their faith community, gathered for Bible study were murdered by one welcomed in their midst. Six predominately African American churches in the South have been burned, with arson suspected in at least three. There was a terrorist attack on beach vacationers leaving 39 people killed and dozens wounded. The Supreme Court ruled that states do not have the right to ban same sex marriages and a debate is raging about the Confederate Flag. Isn't it amazing how emotional reactions can cause people to become historical, theological and constitutional experts? As a spiritual leader as I am bombarded with questions about what I believe which sound less like true desire to hear and more like a challenge to validate their thinking. Weeks like this make me weary. As I am trying to listen, understand, empathize with hurts, fears and anger in hopes God's will prevails, I really just want to climb inside a blanket fort somewhere and read a good book.

While there were no blanket forts, I spent the week immersed in child-like heaven. The world was going crazy, yet it was still VBS (vacation bible school) week. While terror and mayhem, debates and decisions took place, close to 60 children, 20 adults and 20 young people gathered in our church building to learn abut the power of God to love, transform, heal, empower and redeem through Jesus and Holy Spirit. 

One would look back at the week and think, "why bother?" Why spend weeks, no months, preparing food, lessons, craft, skits and decorations to sow seeds of faith in the fertile hearts of these children if they will just grow up and live in such a world we are in.

Here are  4  reasons why we should bother:

1. Children need to worry less about being right. Real living is not about being "right" but about learning to be righteous. Being righteous can only be done through a deep and personal relationship with our Creator who makes us right with him. In turn being righteous is about treating others "right" as Christ would. VBS is a place where we practice getting along, playing together and treating each other as Christ would treat us. 

2. Children should learn.  That is it. Christ taught. The Sermon on the Mount begins with, Jesus sat and he began to teach them... Many of today's problems stem from people not studying the bible, the Constitution, even history. More importantly we are focused on using the bible, etc. as tools to support our opinions rather than learning the true spirit and intent; the "whys". 

3. Children need to play. VBS is play for children. But it is a holy play that transforms. Every craft, outdoor game and song shapes their hearts. The world has become a place of work for children based on achievement and performance. VBS has no expectations other than to "be." 

4. Children need to feel the church cares about them. VBS is a week set aside to love on them and honor them. Too often the children become second class children to interest groups, political parties and collective points of view. Their lives become what these groups present to them. Children need love most. 


Maybe us adult children of God need a little VBS too. Just sayin'