My Help

Today, my devotions took me to Psalm 121 --- very appropriate passage of Scripture for what I am facing this week. You see, this coming Sunday marks the launch of children's ministries at The Sanctuary Pickering. In the early weeks of this church plant, I sensed God tapping me on the shoulders telling me that I am to take on a lead role in children's ministries. I was, of course, reluctant at first. I told myself that this is a HUGE task! But, God was persistent with me and wouldn't let the nagging feeling in my heart go until I said "Yes, Lord!". So, I took on the role asking God to be my help --- fully placing my trust in Him; trusting that He will prepare the way and provide all that is needed for this ministry to move forward. I praise God for He has provided willing volunteers, free curriculum (provided by our parent church), a kid-friendly and nicely-decorated venue (a public school library) to run our program, and finally, He has multiplied my time these past few weeks enabling me to devote much needed attention to curriculum preparation! My God is indeed good!

Psalm 121 (NLT) I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Finally, in closing, I would like to post this poem by Roger Fields entitled 'The Calling' for I believe it sums up what God has called us, as a team of children's ministries volunteers, to do.

I am a minister. My mission field is the largest on earth. I minister to children.

My calling is sure, my challenge is big, my vision is clear, my desire is strong, my influence is eternal, my impact is critical, my values are solid, my faith is tough, my mission is urgent, my purpose is unmistakable, my direction is forward, my heart is genuine, my strength is supernatural, my reward is promised and my God is real.

In a world of cynicism I offer hope. In a world of confusion I offer truth. In a world of immorality I offer values. In a world of neglect I offer attention. In a world of abuse I offer safety. In a world of ridicule I offer affirmation. In a world of division I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin I offer salvation. In a world of hate I offer God’s love. I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged, or distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back, or sit back.

I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature, or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes, or low vision.

I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down. My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting, and too passionate to be quenched. I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears, and my problems. And I know my God.

Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory.

I am a minister. I minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." ---Mark 10:14 (NIV)