The kids were quiet for a tad too long. Anyone with kids know that struggle between wanting to know what they are up to and enjoying the silence for just another minute. Curiosity got the best of me and I found myself looking out the window into our backyard.
My two kids, armed with sticks and ropes, were trying to set up a teepee. It made me smile. They had asked me to buy one earlier in the day, claiming it would bring an end to “the most boring day in their lives”. When I said no, there were groans of disappointment.
I stood silently while watching them try to balance long sticks. The younger one was assigned the task of holding them in place. My nine year old meticulously tied a few knots here and there. I secretly love these moments when I get to watch them play, laugh and love.
As I watched them, I was amazed at how boredom drew out their creativity and determination. I couldn’t get that thought out of my head for the rest of the day when I saw their teepee out in the backyard.
Buffet of activities
My mind led me to think of believers in the church. We often have so much going on in church, by church and for church. It is great to have events and activities to encourage believers and to reach out to the communities. Sometimes, though, these buffet of activities cause us to never stop or slow down.
Thinking about my children and their teepee adventures, some questions popped in my head. What would happen if we cut down on activities in church? If we didn’t have to serve endlessly, would we be contented to sit and let God speak to us? If no one were to watch us pray in front of a church, would we still pray in the quiet?
I am not downplaying the need for serving and ministries in church. We have to be honest with ourselves, though. If we had nothing new going on in church, would we still have a relationship with God? Do we pursue the heart of God as much as we do things for Him?
Going back to basics
It is important to remember that the people that walk through the doors of our church are not our projects. They are God’s creation. Designed by God to be connected to Him.
In Psalm chapter 63, verse 1, we read about David’s desperation: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
If we are designed with a God sized void that can only be filled by Him, shouldn’t we, as the church, help people seek Him to fill that emptiness?
Yes, please do still plan that amazing ladies event. Have fun activities for the children’s ministry. Serve like Jesus did.
Just remember to slow down and breathe in His presence. To have less in our hands, and to let that be a chance to experience more of Him.
Mussita Ng is a follower of Jesus Christ from Wellington, New Zealand. Her previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mussita-ng.html