As a KidMin I have a great opportunity to often see child-like faith in action, particularly when I run a Day Camp/VBS. Having the kids everyday for a week they have huge faith steps and share great comments and stories. This week was no exception! We used Group’s Kingdom Rock curriculum this year and the five Bible points were so foundational and wonderful and the kids have really enjoyed it. But because they were such basic points, they speak to me and our team of volunteers too!
- God’s Love Helps Us Stand Strong, Psalm 18:1
- Family and Friends Help Us Stand Strong, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Prayer Helps Us Stand Strong, Philippians 4:6
- Trusting God Helps Us Stand Strong, Isaiah 26:4
- God’s Word Helps Us Stand Strong, Psalm 119:105
As the week went on we are able to see and hear examples from the children about what they are discovering. One day I “carried my burdens” in a dramatic way to start our large group time. I had a huge bag full of pots and pans and selected individuals came in to add to my cares by asking me to help them. The point of the drama was for me to give my cares to God in prayer and not worry and I played up just how hard it was to carry all these burdens. But before I could even get anywhere near the stage to complete the point of the drama, about 20 kids jumped up to come and help me lift the bag above their heads. They were living out the point from the day before – Friends and Family should encourage each other! So beautiful!
I received an email from one parent thanking our team for a great job. Her appreciation was based on a comment by her 6 year old son on Day 4 of camp as he was getting ready for bed and listening to the music, “Sometimes life is unfair, but I just am feeling good listening to music and loving God.”
The pure trust and acceptance of kids is exactly what Jesus meant when he said unless we have faith like a child we cannot see the kingdom. Of course they aren’t perfect, but they sure seem to get this idea of letting go to trust.
Children are all about trust. They have virtually no ability to care for themselves and so they yield to others all the time – parents, caregivers, teachers, etc. And so when you invite them to love Jesus who so clearly loves them, they are quick to do so. But of course as we age and become more self-sufficient and aware of our surroundings, we wrestle back control, not only from parents, teachers, and other adults, but we often do it with God too. The challenge for us as we “mature” is to not make the mistake that maturity means self-sufficiency or independence. We always need someone! God designed us to live in community with others, and significantly with Him. And it takes the faith of a child to know when to let go and trust Him.