I don’t know if there is a gene deficit in my brain, or if it is that I am too distracted with my inner thoughts, not paying attention to where I am, but I get turned around and lost easily. I always turn the wrong way when exiting buildings, stores and trails! I am sure as can be that “this is the way” but sadly, no. It was my young soccer sons that guided me, before Google Maps, to and from far away soccer matches, or through the curvy, densely forested roads of Washington to play at a friend’s house. Unlike me, my husband is great at directions, and he finds it best not to listen to me when I say, “Turn right or left!” because I’m usually wrong. I think he’s ignoring me, but honestly, he is guiding me. I have learned to trust those that have the direction gene even when, in my eyes, they are perfectly going the wrong way. In the end, it is me that can’t find my way.
The parallel between finding our way in a physical world and navigating our spiritual compass is a rich metaphor. This Sunday at Children’s Church, our children will be exploring the fear of being lost, and the frustration of finding their way through a maze. They will actually build a large maze with Playdough hoping to outsmart their classmates! This exploration is one way to help them to see that the spiritual part of our lives can be just as lost.
Jesus knew his disciples would feel this way, so before he ascended into heaven he prayed a beautiful prayer and blessing over his loved ones (John 17:6-19). The children will hear this comforting prayer. They will hear that although Jesus was taken out of the world physically, He would never leave them. We can trust in Jesus to keep us from going the wrong way. He would remain their guide for life through the words of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. They will hear Jesus’ passion for His disciples (and us) when he prays for his Father’s protection over them. This life will have trials, but Jesus asks the Father to “keep them yours.” These are big thoughts for elementary kids, but also comforting. And, they are important truths for children to learn especially as they walk through a maze-like world of moral and spiritual confusion. Pray for us that God’s spirit will give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive his truth.
I don’t have a good internal compass either. So I have to constantly adapt or figure how to get back on track again. It’s a real pain. I think this is a great lesson for the children.
Never Lost
I don’t know if there is a gene deficit in my brain, or if it is that I am too distracted with my inner thoughts, not paying attention to where I am, but I get turned around and lost easily. I always turn the wrong way when exiting buildings, stores and trails! I am sure as can be that “this is the way” but sadly, no. It was my young soccer sons that guided me, before Google Maps, to and from far away soccer matches, or through the curvy, densely forested roads of Washington to play at a friend’s house. Unlike me, my husband is great at directions, and he finds it best not to listen to me when I say, “Turn right or left!” because I’m usually wrong. I think he’s ignoring me, but honestly, he is guiding me. I have learned to trust those that have the direction gene even when, in my eyes, they are perfectly going the wrong way. In the end, it is me that can’t find my way.
The parallel between finding our way in a physical world and navigating our spiritual compass is a rich metaphor. This Sunday at Children’s Church, our children will be exploring the fear of being lost, and the frustration of finding their way through a maze. They will actually build a large maze with Playdough hoping to outsmart their classmates! This exploration is one way to help them to see that the spiritual part of our lives can be just as lost.
Jesus knew his disciples would feel this way, so before he ascended into heaven he prayed a beautiful prayer and blessing over his loved ones (John 17:6-19). The children will hear this comforting prayer. They will hear that although Jesus was taken out of the world physically, He would never leave them. We can trust in Jesus to keep us from going the wrong way. He would remain their guide for life through the words of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. They will hear Jesus’ passion for His disciples (and us) when he prays for his Father’s protection over them. This life will have trials, but Jesus asks the Father to “keep them yours.” These are big thoughts for elementary kids, but also comforting. And, they are important truths for children to learn especially as they walk through a maze-like world of moral and spiritual confusion. Pray for us that God’s spirit will give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive his truth.