Me: So, what are you doing on Superbowl Sunday?
Pretend Mark Roman (PMR): Oh, I'm playing in it.
Me: WHAT? YOU DON'T GET TO GO TO A SUPERBOWL PARTY?
PMR: Um, no. I'm playing in it!
Me: No fair! No fair! It's too bad you can't come to the party! You'll be missing out on the whole point of the game! It's all about friends! and family! and great snacks!
Wouldn't that be the most ridiculous conversation ever? Yet, it's my experience that when some people find out I work on Christmas or Easter, I get the same kind of reaction:
WHAT? YOU HAVE TO WORK ON EASTER? NO FAIR! You'll be missing out on the egg hunt or the early dinner. Oh, you poor thing! Easter is all about family, it's horrid that you have to work on a holiday!
Seriously?
I think the downside of having so many great traditions is that they often swallow up the purpose or meaning of a holiday. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Easter ham, and frankly, Reeses' peanut butter eggs make me a little giddy. I'm not saying we can't enjoy the traditions, I'm saying that those traditions cannot be the most important thing.
Now I know that some people would argue that Easter is not really a Christian holiday, it's a pagan celebration that was commandeered for the Christians. I can't argue with that. What I can say is this: This is the one day of the year that's set aside to celebrate the amazing truth that Jesus endured a painful death on the cross, died for my sins, and rose again on the third day. It's a day to commemorate the amazing Sacrifice for which I am literally eternally grateful.
Our church is a rather large one (not a megachurch, but not a little chapel either) and on Christmas and Easter, we become even larger. Thousands and thousands of people pour in. Some are truly seeking, some are coming to worship, some are coming because it's tradition, some are coming because they were dragged there. One thing is for sure: they are going to bring their children- their lots, and lots, and lots of kids. Normally, we have nearly 1500 children 5th grade and under each week. At Easter we expect to at least double that.
It strikes me that among the multitude, there is at least one child that doesn't know who Jesus is. He doesn't know that he is a sinner. He doesn't know that there is a Savior. He doesn't know how much Jesus loves him. And on this Sunday, he will get to hear the gospel for the very first time.
And I get to be part of the team who gets to make sure He hears that!
This isn't a burden, people, it's an honor!
It's a time when I get to do what I was uniquely gifted to do to give God glory on an incredible day! Like in football (or so I hear) people come to watch the Superbowl who haven't watched a game all season. There are bigger audiences, bigger stakes. And you can say what you want about those CEOs (Christmas and Easter Only attenders), at the very least, they are hearing the Word of God- which is guaranteed not to return void! (Is 55:11) How awesome is that?
Imagine if the servants at the wedding that Jesus went to with His mother were mere guests at the wedding. Sure, they would have enjoyed the really good wine that was served, but they would have missed watching Jesus create it from water. By being behind the scenes, serving whilst others celebrated, they got to see the first miracle that Jesus ever did! I'm sure not one of them would trade their aprons for party clothes on that day....
My encouragement for you, my friends, is this: don't let people who just don't get it bully you out of doing whatever it is that God has gifted you to do. Don't let tradition or convenience or even guilt keep you from serving God-
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1-2
16 comments:
amen, sister! love it. you have such a way with words. those kids are so blessed to have you on their team.
praying that you have a wonderful easter doing what God has called you to do.
I'll be happily singing in the choir for both services. Sacrifice at not being home with my hubby that morning? Yeah, but no more than the other Sundays. And for me, thank God, it wouldn't be Easter Sunday without church.
It's hard to think of what we do as serving, sometimes. Like last week, when I was tearing up so hard at our song that I had the ugly face while singing.
Using our gifts and liabilities for worship is what it's all about.
Great post.
Now that I'm past the shock that you don't know beans about football...I can tell you what a truly inspired post this is! It reminds me of Jesus' response to the Pharisees when they questioned Him about healing on the Sabbath. It's all for God's glory, not our self-glorification through rule keeping, and certainly not our convenience.
P.S. - Reese's peanut butter eggs are simply AMAZING!
"there is at least one child that doesn't know that he is a sinner."
Yikes, I am glad that You signed up for that honor.
Amen! Praise God for you & so many others in similar roles who can see past the traditions into the heart of the matter! You can always have ham or hunt eggs later in the day or another day if you choose - but those moments of ministry...
THAT was an awesome post.
PMR, lol. Great Tie-In!
SOOOO THANKFUL that you and so many others in faithful churches all over the world will be sharing the good news with all the folks that come through churches that particular day. What better day of the year to hear about what Jesus has done for them?
Cablemonkey-
If that were the only part of my job, it would stink for sure. But much like a dr. who has to give the bad news that you have strep throat in order to give you the great news that there are antibiotics that will take care of that problem, I have the honor of giving the great news that though each of us are sinners, there is a very simple solution.
That's why it's called the Gospel... good news!
I've always thought it was such a special treat to sit in the choir loft and look out to see the faces of the congregation as they worshipped, wept, praised and prayed.
Well played! :) Also - I am HAPPILY serving this evening AND all day Sunday - although NOT in children's ministry! HA! (praise the Lord that is YOUR gifting!)
oh - seriously good stuff. How do I get to be your friend?
Excellent post! My sister and I had a huge discussion of a similar theme. She decided to skip the traditional huge dinner she had already bought food to host so she could concentrate more on the true Easter message. I was so proud of her.
yes, great post!
Amber... So ridiculously good, just like everything else you do. I really need to link this to CEGA, or copy and paste it there... or maybe when people type in cega, it'll just redirect them here everyday ;o)
Awesome Girl, keep it up.
Oh, btw, yesterday at my house, my Mom was telling people to go to your site. Um, hello Mom? I have a blog too... pft, whatever
Wonderful conclusion...I really loved this!
Nice post!
You are so awesome, chica. I love your attitude, your spirit, and your desire to pour all of you into your ministry to children, and into what God has clearly called you to do. Wow.
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