God broke my pride, and in turn, he broke my heart. Every Thursday, my school allows a group to assemble known as the Bible Club. It's not school run, but instead is led by volunteers from the community, mostly pastors and youth ministers. The children choose to attend, and they sing songs and the guest talks about something related to Jesus.
The enthusiasm I have at Bible Club has been at higher points in my life. For one, the songs are cheesy and the motions are worse. The kids come back to class and they are jacked up to where it's just not funny. In so few words, I dislike having Bible Club duty. There are times where I second guess many things the guest speaker says, criticizing the way he says things and how he does things.
Alright, I have a bit of a critical spirit. I tend to lean towards the negative. I think that may be why my name is Paul, so that I can work toward being humble about these things. This Thursday, God hit me with something I hadn't realized before: the Bible Club isn't for me. It's purpose is not to grab my attention, to entertain me, to peak my curiosity for Jesus. In all it's cheesy glory, "It's for the kids." For some reason I hadn't grasped this notion before this point. As I looked from the middle-aged man doing hand motions to the kids around me my perspective immediately shifted. The kids were singing the songs, doing the motions, and generally enjoying themselves. Too often I chalk those things up to unnecessary and "extra" and forget that is how kids get engaged.
I saw some of the worst kids in the school singing a song about Jesus and happily participating with silly hand motions and really getting into the dancing. Kids need to move. They need to play. And they need to know that faith isn't humdrum and boring. That there are times to dance, there are times to sing, there are times to be silly, goof around, and have a good time. I forget sometimes that kids need to be kids. My son is 2 and I keep wishing that he wasn't speaking in small sentences now, that he wasn't potty training, and that he was still a small baby I could rock and hold. That isn't happening. He is growing faster than I can imagine and I've got to give him the best opportunity to be a kid.
Jesus spoke on several occasions about children and how much he treasures them, and how much of a treasure they are. I think it could be because at their core, children worship more freely than anyone else. When they love, they love with everything they have. When they are honest, they see past all screens, masks, and makeup to the very core of your soul (haha). They are unbounded by culture, tradition, and social cues until the day where we put our ideas into them, some good, some bad.
I've got to be less selfish, this isn't about me. Honestly, nothing is about me. It's all about Jesus and I am just blessed if I get to participate. Once I was set right about this, I was able to smile and have joy at seeing those students having a good time. The Grinch-esque attitude had been wiped away and replaced with the simple understanding that Jesus is good, children can have joy and enjoy him, and that's all that need be. Thank God for moments like that.
