briefermadness

  I'm sitting here in a Continuing Legal Education seminar and he's giving an introduction to non-profit organizations.  He thinks I'm taking notes.  I'll start taking notes later when he gets into something a little more complex.  Right now I'll write this.

  I think that VBS didn't draw as many kids as we had hoped for.  But, so what?  We prayed and asked the Lord to bring the kids that he wanted there.  We've got to believe that those kids are there.  That means we have divine appointments there this week.  Even though there may not be as many kids as we had hoped for, all the work we did was worth it for each and every one of the kids that did come.  Which kid are we going to look at and say, "You weren't worth all the work we did."

  This brings up the whole subject of children's ministries.  Sometimes you wonder how much these kids are really understanding about the gospel.  Are we wasting our time?  Are we just trying to make ourselves feel better through our "effort?"

  Sometimes we are just doing it for our own effort.  But He tells us to bring the children to Him.  Mt. 19:14.  That is not a suggestion.  Even if our motives are wrong, we must look to Him to bring results anyway.  If the kids can't understand, then why would He tell us to bring them?

  Part of the problem is that we often don't take seriously the "decision" of a child.  I don't know at what age "salvation" can occur (not my job to know that).  But He directs us to work with them.  There's got to be a reason.  If it's just to show them His love, so they can remember that and make a later salvation decision, then that's OK.  If it's just to give them an initial good activity in "church," so that years later, when the crunch comes, they will be more likely to come to the church (and meet Him).

  The results of our efforts are sometimes hidden, often delayed.  But if we proceed in prayer, then we know that the results of our efforts are in His hands.  Best place.