The Hub, July 9, 2019
[God] determines the number of the stars; [God] gives to all of them their names. (Psalm 147:8)
What a wonderful time of year! Our congregation overflows with song and laughter as younger church members and friends join us for Vacation Bible School (VBS). Yes, we offer all the usual Bible-related activities, but this isn’t just kid-stuff. God uses ordinary things to perform an extraordinary work in and through us and our shared ministry.
While with these children, we hope to embody the faith God gives us – to experience it through community – and make these ancient stories come alive. To do this, the interactions of play and fellowship become holy times where the love of God becomes manifest.
As biblical witness attests again and again, God’s love is a fire. How exciting it always proves to see light shine from a child’s face as they realize that God isn’t some far off, cold being but relational, loving and always close to them. (Perhaps their faces become a bit like Moses’ own, filled with light as he encountered the Lord.) For some, it might be the first time or one of the few times they hear the words, “God loves you.”
We are intended to be children of the light which is God. We sometimes falter. Faith can begin to flicker and even seem to fade as the cosmic winds of life blow or we make bad choices. Yet, our Lord who is light doesn’t want to leave us in the dark. Love always comes to us through Jesus, his Word, and his Church.
Thus through “fun and games,” the Spirit is calling these children and our volunteers closer to the heart which is our God. Much like the spacecraft project pictured above, the scripture stories are binding lives piece by piece to make a more beautiful whole through faith.
Our “To Mars and Beyond” VBS reminds me of an ancient promise made to Abraham. One of those stars above us has been placed there to represent you and me. It is true. God really loves us.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Scripture text from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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