Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
I attended the same church for over 20 years. Even when I went off to college, I still went to my home church during breaks. But when my family moved to a different state last year, we automatically became the church visitors instead of the church regulars. So, as a church visitor who’s quite introverted, here are three things that I’d like to tell regulars at the churches I visit.
Unfortunately, we’re still riding this crazy rollercoaster of change. That’s why we as young adults need to hear the truth from our ministry leaders during this time. We can’t change our circumstances, but we can change our perspective. Thankfully, you can help us do that.
In Bible study, we focus on answering the questions in the book. In Sunday School, we discuss prayer requests about our travels and job transitions. In small group, we talk about the weather, sports, or politics. But, believers are not going to grow in their faith by talking about the weather, sports, or politics.
Being alone isn’t sinful, but neglecting our time with other believers is (Hebrews 10:25). Not only can we glean encouragement from other Christians, but we can—and should—encourage them also. We’re all hearing the same kinds of lies from Satan, and we’re all called to obey the same Truth.
Center-stagers, like pastors, worship leaders, Bible study teachers, and ministry directors, are often in the spotlight. Behind-the-sceners, like those who work in the sound booth, organize children’s ministries, and order supplies for activities, are often in the background. Both center-stagers and behind-the-sceners can be used by God in amazing ways. But it’s so easy to neglect the behind-the-sceners because they work in the background.
I know it’s hard to be honest in a high-and-mighty Christian society. It feels like the Christians who set unrealistic goals for other Christians never talk about their sins and their hardships. It causes us to wonder if their struggles even exist. Friend, just because people don’t talk about their issues doesn’t mean they don’t have issues. Not only am I guilty of inwardly judging others for their sins, but I’m also guilty of hiding my sins from them.
Even with the people we know…with the people we trust…with the people we are supposed to be unified with…we try to hide. We are silent. We conveniently forget to mention that we are struggling.
Usually, when I sit down after we’ve sung a few praise songs in church, my thought process is similar to this: Seriously? Did I really zone out for all of those songs? I just sang four hymns, and they didn’t count for anything? Why can’t I pay attention? I think about everything except what I’m supposed to be thinking about.
It’s officially summer, which means vacation Bible school for many churches (which usually means a lot of moaning, groaning, and whining from all the leaders involved). But VBS doesn’t have to be frustrating, cheesy, or challenging. By following these easy suggestions, you can make vacation Bible school go a lot smoother.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 