Today marks the beginning of Vacation Bible School week at Journey Church. For volunteers, parents, and children alike, it will be a whirlwind of a few days coupled with late nights. The church building will be loud, crowded, chaotic and messy, but for anyone who has invested their heart, soul, and time into Vacation Bible School, they couldn’t imagine this week any other way.
I have memories of my own childhood summers spent at Vacation Bible School. I remember several of the song lyrics we practiced during worship time. I remember in the days before technology, we were regaled with Bible stories in the form of flannel board characters. I remember playing outside with several other children at dusk, running and giggling and catching fireflies, while we waited for our parents to finish their volunteer responsibilities inside.
I don’t remember many other details, other than the sense of joy that encompassed that sacred time every summer. As a child, still years away from understanding the weight of adult responsibilities and obligations, I felt safe, I felt carefree, and I felt loved. I am sure the adult volunteers were exhausted and drained by the end of each week, but I hope they know that every bit of planning and praying made a Kingdom impact.
Though I would later spend a decade of my life with one foot in the world and one foot in my faith before finally and fully surrendering my heart to Christ, I know the influence that childhood days spent at church had on my spiritual journey. I had learned that God loved me. I had learned that He sent His son to die so that I could have life and have it to the fullest. I had learned that there are adults in this world that will happily give of their own time and energy to ensure that children understand that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Through this upcoming week in Vacation Bible School, some children may surrender their lives to Christ, make the decision to be baptized, and never once look back. Other children may wrestle and stumble and stray in their walk for a season or two, before eventually finding their way back the Lord. For others still, this week will be their only opportunity during childhood to learn who God is and to hear about His amazing love for them.
Whatever the outcome, seeds are planted in these moments. Between the meals and the treats, between the crafts and the songs, between the conversations and the dancing, tiny seeds of faith will be scattered and watered and sown. As these children grow, they may not remember all the details, but we can be assured they will remember that the God of the universe loves them.
In the ever-increasing darkness of this world, Vacation Bible School gifts us the opportunity to rejoice and sing and celebrate the Kingdom that is to come. This coming week, may seeds of faith be planted and bloom beautifully among this next generation.
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16).