If someone had told me a year ago that I'd be responsible for running a children's ministry I probably would've laughed and not given a second thought. Yet, here I am working at an awesome church doing just that.
For those of you who know me personally, this probably came as an odd pairing. Of course, I love kids but I've never thought of myself as being one of those "Ms. Lippy" (ya know from Billy Madison) types who could handle masses of children with ease. So I stuck to the areas I knew; music, production, media, etc.
However, the opportunity came along to do this and against all reason, I felt that God definitely wanted me to do it so I did, and I'm so glad I did.
Here's what I've learned (so far):
1. You can learn more about God and faith in an hour with children than you ever will in an hour with most pastors I know. Kids have this inherent honesty when it comes to God. They will ask you anything because they have no shame. All the questions we are afraid to ask a 9 year old will ask without even thinking twice. The way children receive the Gospel is so different and so inspiring. It really makes you understand why Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt. 19:14. If we could all be as free and honest with our faith as these kids are our world would be completely different.
2. Children's workers are the most under appreciated and selfless people you are likely to meet in a church. I am an organizer/overseer for the ministry, so I don't get to do as much of the hands on stuff on a weekly basis. The real credit goes to the teachers and workers who selflessly devote their time and attention to our kids. Years ago kid's church was more like daycare but nowadays there is a lot more pressure on the average volunteer. These people are working throughout the week preparing lessons and getting supplies. They sacrifice the opportunity to be in the "grown-up" service so that our kids can learn about God, and in the craziness of a Sunday morning they are rarely thanked. We have some of the most selfless workers I've seen at Bridgepoint and I thank God for them everyday!
3. God enjoys making us uncomfortable. He doesn't enjoy it in a malicious way; He enjoys it because it forces us to grow and get closer to Him in our walk. God put me a place where I couldn't really rely on myself, my experiences, or my natural abilities. All I had to rely on was that He wanted me there and that had to be enough. Now I'm not the best at what I do but God is making it all work, because let's face it, He's really in charge anyway. So my skill doesn't matter as much as my obedience. He has all the knowledge and skill any of us could need need, so as uncomfortable as it feels to lose control; there's a peace and a victory that we receive in this place of dependence.
I have a sign hanging in my house. My husband hates it because he claims it looks "old lady" but I don't care because I love what it says:
"God never asks about our ability or our inability but about our availability"
I've had that sign for years but I think it's message finally sank in. God doesn't care about what I can do or what I can't do. He could care less how many years I've been in Ministry or how many people I've led to Christ. He cares about the posture of my heart. He cares about having full access to everything he created me to be, even the things He put in there that I don't know exist. He doesn't want to hear a list of my credentials when he asks me to do something. He just wants to hear
"Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8
Amen and I agree!!
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