What I Learned at VBS from a 4th Grader

"If you think about it, the world is like a big painting that God made."

"We are all unique...like different colored grains of sand."

"I need God. Sometimes I don't realize that I need Him...but then I remember."

"I think that Jesus would want me to give everyone a second chance."

"People learn about God in different ways. For me, I learn about Him through art projects."

"Let me think of a hypothetical situation where I could be like Jesus to my friends and family."

God works in mysterious ways. He often teaches me what I need to learn in the most surprising times. Last week, I helped out with my 5th Vacation Bible School (VBS). For the last 4 years, I have moved up with a particular class. I started with them when they were in 1st grade and this year they were in 4th grade. There is a specific girl in the class that I have had every year.

This year, she didn't participate in rec. So, I brought in crafts. We did art projects all week. It was one of my favorite parts of each day. And, over the course of the week, I got to see a piece of her heart. The quotes are hers. We often don't give children enough credit. There is a reason why God commanded us to have childlike faith. Children can see the world through God's eyes often easier than adults. They trust. They love. They see people as unique. They don't care about race. They see people as God's creation. How often do we ask God to show us the world through His eyes? I almost missed it. I almost handed her a piece of chalk to play by herself while I was with the other kids playing the particular rec game. But God lead me to put down the checklists, the plans, and to just sit and talk with a girl who was ready to be open. He lead me to bring in crafts and watch His handiwork in this girl's life.

We often miss a lot by not trusting God with childlike faith. This time, I trusted. I need to do that more. I need to be open to the unexpected. I need to be transparent. I need to be ready to serve with all my heart at God's leading. 

When we do particular evangelistic outreaches, we often think, "I wonder how many people will get saved?" Although this is very important, sometimes evangelism is relationship orientated. I really noticed that this last week. I have watched my class grow so much over the last 4 years. When they were in first grade, I prayed for this specific girl. I still have the journal entry from the first year asking God for her salvation. But, God's timing is always perfect, even when it is hard to see. She never accepted Christ at VBS. She asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life at some other time, probably with her parents. That is amazing. She is a true daughter of the King regardless of where she accepted Christ. However, I got to plant some seeds in her life. Last week, I was blessed with the ability to see some of the results. Sometimes we don't get to see what happens. Sometimes we just have to trust God and plant the seeds, knowing that He has everything under control.

Pic from http://centerpointcf.com/ministries/missions/

We are called to share the good new of Christ. Will we follow the command with childlike faith? Or will we stubbornly demand God for answers? Will we trust that God will help us to plant the seeds and let Him do the changing? Or will we miss what He is calling us to do? I am going to try to listen more to God's leading. I am going to focus on loving people instead of 'saving them.'

Taken from http://www.lovethispic.com/image/29256/you-cannot-save-people

What are you going to do?