Today in church, the pastor who was giving a children's message asked for a volunteer. This little kid,about four years old, was eager to stand up on stage and help. The pastor gave him directions to cling as tight as he could to the pastor who was playing God. But first, he'd have to hold a few things.
First up... a clock. The pastor explained that we want to cling to God, but a lot of times, we just don't have the time. We are always racing to beat the clock. So the kid took the clock. And emphatically announced to the church "It's 10:00 guys!!!" When he turned the clock around though, it looked like this:
So he needs a little work on his time telling skills.
The pastor then handed him a baseball and explained that a lot of times, we get tangled up in sports and other activities and make our schedules so busy that we don't have time for God.
Next up was a cell phone. The pastor explained that sometimes we intend to spend time with God, but technology takes up our time. We end up spending our times texting and catching up on Facebook instead.
Then the pastor pulled out a gun. Yes, a gun. In church. The little kid's eyes got real big and he said 'ARE WE GOING TO FIGHT?" The pastor explained, no they weren't going to fight but a lot of times these toys get in our way. (He sure could've picked a better toy). In all his boy glory, the little fellow took a few good shots with the gun towards the congregation.
As you can imagine, the little guys hands and arms were full. He was even was using his neck to hold the gun. The pastor asked him to go cling to God. The little boy scooted over to the edge of the stage and tried to jump onto the pastor playing God, but he dropped some things. The pastor urged him to pick them up and cling to God. The little boy looked at him with a very angry face and screamed "I CAN'T!!! YOU PUT TOO MUCH STUFF IN MY HANDS AND I DON'T WANT IT." And he proceeded to run away from the stuff and JUMP full force into the arms of the pastor playing God.
While the little kid was as cute as could be, he was right on. To my young readers out there, I want to encourage you to stand boldly in your witness and love for God as this little boy did. 1 Timothy 4:12 says "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Maybe the adults around you aren't setting a good example. Well, set an example for them! The words you say and the things you do may speak volumes more than the words of a pastor.
This little boys words got me thinking. How many times do we fill our hands with things that we truly DON'T want? We may think we want them, but after awhile those things get old and we are still left with a hole. The only thing we desire (and NEED) is a relationship with God. That relationship is the only thing that can transform us, renew us, restore us. Giving ourselves to our jobs won't satisfy us. Being plugged into too many activities won't satisfy you (or your kids). Buying new vehicles, new televisions and new gadgets won't satisfy us either. Getting to know our God and clinging to Him... now THAT will fill your cup.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:1-2
What is it that you need to sacrifice? What is taking you away from God? Jesus, God's only Son, made the ultimate sacrifice for us to have a relationship with God. If Jesus wasn't exempt from making sacrifices, we sure aren't!
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