One of my very favorite things about working in children's ministry is that the answer is always Jesus...and a very enthusiastic Jesus at that. If you've ever worked with toddlers or preschoolers, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't you love it?! If you don't work with children in this capacity and are confused by what I'm talking about...I'm telling you, I can ask any question and someone, if not everyone, will answer Jesus. Who made your breakfast? Jesus. Who came over for dinner? Jesus. And if I continue to ask, implying they haven't given the right answer, they quickly change their response from Jesus to GOD, yelled at the top of their little lungs. This applies to any question...Who? or What? or How?...the answer is Jesus, or possibly God. I love that about kids. They usually know the "correct" response if they'd just listen to the question. Who built the ark? Who fought Goliath? Who was swallowd by the big fish? They could recall these Bible heroes if they'd take the time to process the question, but they are just so sure the answer is Jesus.
I think Jesus just loves to hear His name shouted in response to the questions asked in preschool circle times all over the world. Are they wrong to always answer Jesus? Maybe it's not just a premature response in an attempt to answer first. What if the world just hasn't had a chance to beat them down or convince them that there are other possible answers. There will come a time when faced with questions, they'll try other answers first. If we've effectively planted seeds of faith, they'll continue to believe He is an answer, but sadly they lose the gut reflex that He's the Only answer. How can we keep them always answering Jesus first? Not a last resort, not when all else fails, not an end of the rope answer...but applying His name to every question, every concern, every problem first. What can I do now to keep them believing that He is always the right answer?
I think Jesus just loves to hear His name shouted in response to the questions asked in preschool circle times all over the world. Are they wrong to always answer Jesus? Maybe it's not just a premature response in an attempt to answer first. What if the world just hasn't had a chance to beat them down or convince them that there are other possible answers. There will come a time when faced with questions, they'll try other answers first. If we've effectively planted seeds of faith, they'll continue to believe He is an answer, but sadly they lose the gut reflex that He's the Only answer. How can we keep them always answering Jesus first? Not a last resort, not when all else fails, not an end of the rope answer...but applying His name to every question, every concern, every problem first. What can I do now to keep them believing that He is always the right answer?
August 7, 2007 at 7:21 AM
Every Sunday I ask Elijah what he learned in his class and he replies "Dod." Then I ask him "what else did you learn about?" and he always replies "Desus."
Holly
August 7, 2007 at 8:58 AM
(From Tagging) - No Reservations is a sweet movie. Really predictable, but really sweet. I enjoyed it, and my husband managed to tolerate it. :)
August 13, 2007 at 8:32 AM
I loved this post Erin. it so represents where God has had me for thepast few months. I tend to make things extremely complicated and over analyze things. It was a good reminder to me that when life is hard there really is only one answer. Jesus. There IS power in that Name :).
love,
Amanda McEwen