Never underestimate a 2 or 3 year old! Don't take for granted the power they can have to impact your life in a mighty way! After teaching this age group for a number of years now, I've learned not to be surprised by anything they say. And I've realized they teach me so much more than I could ever begin to teach them.
A few weeks ago in Bible class we studied Daniel in the Lion's Den. We talked about how those who were jealous of Daniel tricked the king into making a law that no one could pray to any god or ask a petition of anyone except the king for 30 days. I hoped to emphasize Daniel's courage and faithfulness even in a dangerous time. I also hoped to instill in those little hearts that God is always with us when we follow Him.
But I go through a certain routine during class. We usually sing some introductory songs including several songs about the Bible. I often say "Bible words are God's words" - trying my best to stress the importance of Truth. Another thing I do is teach the verse Genesis 1:1. Using a hand made flip chart, I stress this scripture as the "very first words of the Bible." This is all done before we move on to our Bible story for the week.
Young minds are like little sponges and they soak up everything. Yet, sometimes I forget. I knew they were making progress with the memory verse, but I hadn't thought about how engrossed they'd become with the routine. Well, I got a sharp reminder that night.
After our story about Daniel and doing our handwork to take home -- one little girl held up her take home sheets and said "Let's do the beginning." Thinking she wanted me to review the story (because after all, she was holding up the picture of Daniel praying), I spent a couple of minutes talking about Daniel and how God saved him from the lions. When I finished, she looked at me sweetly, and in a very grown up tone of voice said, "Uh-huh, OK now, let's do the beginning. It was only then I realized she was playing teacher. Her take home sheets had become a flip chart and she wanted us to recite Genesis 1:1 with her. "In the beginning -- God created -- the heavens and the earth -- Genesis 1:1." So that is just what we did!
Naturally I was amused, but I was also reminded of how closely our little ones watch us and how important it is for us to teach only the absolute truth. We will be held accountable for what we teach. What a sobering thought!!
I was also reminded just how important "the beginning" is. As Christians, we need to remember this often for it is the very first tenet of our faith. It is the foundation upon which our life of serving Christ is all about. Our beliefs define us. Believing in God as our Creator is the basis for how we live and act. Everything we do is centered around the fact of God's existence.
Everyone believes there was "a beginning" to this world. Regardless of the "how," everyone believes there was a beginning. So the words "In the beginning" isn't doubted. It all started somehow.
We live on the earth and we study the clouds. We know about the atmosphere above the clouds. Mankind has visited the moon and traveled in space. So we don't doubt the existence of "the heavens and the earth" either.
Sadly, it is those two small words in the middle of this sentence that seem to put so many folks into a tailspin. They just can't seem to get the "God created" part.
Non- believers say "How can it possibly be?"
The believer says, "How can it possibly be anything else?"
I honestly can't imagine believing anything else other than in God as our Creator and His Son as our Savior. Yet sometimes we need reminding. We need to take the time to actually think about the implications of existing as a created being. We should realize God truly IS the giver of life and we were created for a purpose.
We should occasionally "do" the beginning. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'
(NIV). How often do we stop and realize we were made in His image? We are to recognize Him and allow Him to be a vital part of our lives.
Remembering Him means when we come to the end of our days, we will not regret the way we have lived. We may not enjoy getting old or being able to see and hear like we once did ... or move as quickly as we used to ... but we will have peace of mind ... the precious peace that only God can give us.
Remembering Him is not just reading the Bible, or the mental act of remembering certain verses of scripture. It is wholly leaning on God ... walking with Him ... holding on to Him ... loving Him. It is realizing He is in control and we don't do anything on our own.
Sometimes living the busy lives we live, going about everything we do, rushing here and there, satan shows up. We allow ourselves to be tricked into thinking we don't need God. After all, we take care of ourselves pretty well, right? Why should we go to worship Sunday night or Bible study Wednesday night? It's late and the kids are already fussy. We've had a pretty good day, why take the time to pray with them before they go to sleep? It is easy -- very easy -- to fall into the devil's trap.
Stop!! Go back to the basics. Remember the Creator.
"DO" the beginning ... again and again and again.
I promise you won't regret it.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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