Our church has been participating in VBS for the past month. Our VBS is Kingdom Rocks and it is all about teach kids to Stand Strong with God.
Two lessons stick out to me - one was Nehemiah.
No matter what happened to Nehemiah - he prayed. He found out the walls of Jerusalem were in ruin - he prayed. He approached the king - he prayed. The king offered to help Nehemiah - he prayed. People mocked Nehemiah and his fellow Jewish people as they built the wall - he prayed. He was angered - he prayed. He was hurt - he prayed. As I said a moment ago, Nehemiah prayed. Why?
One of our pastoral staff suggested that while prayer is communication with God - it also aligns us with God's will and plan. By taking a moment or two or however long is necessary to pray Nehemiah realigned his attitude and actions with that of God.
The second lesson that sticks with me was the one on King Josiah.
Josiah was named king at age 8, that is not a typo, age 8. He looked around the country he was given to rule and saw things falling apart. He listened to God and started rebuilding the temple and they found the scriptures. Josiah had an "A-HA" moment and knew that God's word would help make things better. So he had the scriptures read to the people and things changed.
Josiah's lesson was connected to idolatry. Instead of worshipping work, TV, computers, smart phones, games and people, Josiah called people back to the worship of the One True God. Man that makes me think.
Our pastor compared it to the story, "The Emperor Has No Clothes". Where everyone ignores the fact that the emperor is naked except one little child, who sees the nude emperor and tells him that he is naked. And the situation gets resolved.
See, I wish I was like the little child. I see people making wrong choices and want them to choose more wisely, I know they need to re-examine the Bible or their faith. When the opportunity presents itself, I can share my insights, but unless asked I say nothing. I wonder if I should make bold declarations to people?
Then I realize - I have things to say to myself.
Do you want to be well? healthy? employed? happy? Then do those things. Exercise, eat right, go to work, do a good job and count your blessings. Spend time reading God's Word and aligning yourself with God's will and plan for your life. Celebrate God working in your life and be thankful that God is willing to work through someone like me.
