As most of us know, there's rarely a dull moment when young children are around. They can say some of the funniest things! Young children are so honest and innocent.
They perceive the world differently. I suppose that's why some of the things they say seem to be so amusing. But if we keep our hearts open we can usually gain some insight or learn from what our children say.
From time to time I post cute or funny things my 2 and 3 year old Bible class students say. Two of my friends from another congregation also teach a pre-school Bible class. Their students are aged 2 and under. Last week they shared a cute story with me.
Many teachers use visual aids and even hands-on items. Cathy and Kay were teaching a lesson called "God Made Everything." Various animals are used in this lesson to teach the concept that God truly did make everything.
Last Sunday morning they used wind up toy chickens. After winding it and putting it down the children watched with delight as the little chicken hopped around on the table. One little boy was so excited that when it stopped, he said "Crank it again!" He was definitely ready to see the chicken go into action once more.
I love this story! He was so excited about seeing that chicken move around, he wanted to see it again. I wonder if God feels that way about us sometimes? Think about how happy we make Him when we are busy working in His kingdom. And think about how disappointed He is when we suddenly stop.
God loves us so much! Christ gave up heaven for us.
While Jesus was here on earth, He never forgot His mission. He worked and served His Father constantly. Sure, the human side of Him had to rest from time to time; but after resting, He always continued His labor for the Father.
Throughout His short earthly life, Jesus remained focused on teaching us about God .. and then He died on the cross for us. Christ is our example. He gave us a pattern to live by. We should strive to live as He did. We should remain focused on serving the Father.
I believe the Father wants us to stay cranked up for Him. Two passages come almost immediately to my mind. Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (NKJV) We benefited from the death of Jesus. He is our Savior - our Redeemer. He reconciled us to God. If He died for us, how can we help but live for Him?
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul says our lives should be spent in service to God. He reminds of God's mercy. Because of His sacrifice for us, it is not surprising that God asked the same from us. His sacrifice for us leads us to a loyal and obedient faith. We willingly desire to serve Him because He has taken our sins to the cross with Him.
The second passage I think of is I Corinthians 15:58. In this verse Paul again calls his readers brethren. We know Paul had a great love for his fellow Christians. Getting his message across was very important to him. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Paul knew how important it was to stay cranked up for the Lord. He also knew that sometimes Christians get discouraged. The fellow brothers he wrote to were under persecution. What did he tell them to do? In essence he said, - "Don't stop - keep going. Don't let your faith waver. And keep working for the Lord!"
Why did Paul want his readers to know this? Because he wanted them to know the other part -- the best part. He wanted his brothers to know that their labor would not be in vain. Our labor for the Lord will not be wasted. We must stay cranked up God. He will reward His faithful.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
(Galatians 6:9 NKJV)
Hang in there. If you wind down, get cranked up again. It will surely be worth it.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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