They Wanted to Play Hide and Seek

Yesterday the kids wanted to play hide-and-seek. I wanted to have class.

I teach Confirmation Class at a small Lutheran church in North Dakota every Wednesday.  Yesterday I was more tired than normal. That time of day often catches me with a lower energy level. There I was, with four rambunctious kids, wanting a quiet coffee break. An old guy being asked by young kids to join them in a game. The church building was totally available. What’s a person going to do?

Well, it all turned out nicely.

By the end of the hour we had done a bit of chasing around, played a Bible quiz game, and laughed and teased each other. I even got to brew my coffee and sip away during the quiz game. The boys got into high gear after a while and realized they didn’t have to get beat by the girls’ quick answers every time! Toward the end it was almost a dead heat. (I won’t say who won. I loved the energy - their screaming and laughing.)

When I think of today’s kids and their need to study the Bible and learn of Jesus’ love for them, I get inspired. I want to continue to be a part of that.  What an opportunity to have these four in our Confirmation Class. Just a few, but nevertheless a true opportunity.  I also have seven more youth in weekly music lessons which I teach.  And I get so speak to a group of thirty high school youth once every six weeks.

Do you work with young people? In towns and cities across the world there are many opportunities to connect with them. When you get to know their parents (or other care-givers), you have an even better dynamic. “Here’s how it went today,” you can say to the parents now and then.  Report to them.  Tell them thanks for the chance to be involved in their children’s lives. Tell them you’re praying for them, since you’re well aware how important parenting is.

The years rush by.  Those kids become adults. The time to invest heavily is when they’re young. Miss that, and – well, we know how that can go.

Being Clear About Two Big Things

I can’t see God. Can you?  When I look up I can see the beautiful blue sky. I can see people at a social gathering. I can see my hand in front of my face.  But I can’t see God.

These statements are common sense. But many people conclude that, because they can’t see God there is no god. Is that a reasonable? Here are some thoughts about this.

God’s power can be seen. His invisible nature is “seen in the things that have been made,” the Apostle Paul wrote long ago.  Paul was referring to God’s “eternal power and deity,” that he is the one whose power and intelligence have no boundaries.

In a laboratory we can place swamp water on a slide and see protozoans under a microscope.  We are looking at marvels, the intricate motion and detail of single-celled living beings. DNA and genetic discoveries show us how stupendous is the “packaging” and structuring of extremely detailed “information” contained in genes. It actually predetermines characteristics of living beings.  These beings then pass on to the next generation essential structures and traits through replication and reproduction, according to their kinds. On the other side of the size spectrum marvels of distance, light and energy can be seen through telescopes!

The universe clearly implies the power and intelligence of a creator. Can we, by the same methods, see his other major aspect – love?  No. That must be “heard” – through people speaking. These two aspects of God are “revealed” in two different ways. We see one, we hear the other.

When we hear of God’s love, or grace, we can come to trust him and experience his forgiveness and care.  The God who created you loves you and knows your name. He wants you to live daily with this confidence. Jesus came into a dark and sometimes confusing world, to suffer for our sin and experience death for us. As Lord of all, since he couldn’t be permanently held by death, Jesus was raised again to life. This all really happened.

As you hear this or read about it, you can take it to heart and become a new creation, if that hasn’t already happened to you. In this way we who are creatures of God also become His children, destined for an eternity with him where darkness and sadness will someday be banished and joys will last forever.  

We can’t see God, although when Jesus was on earth as a Jew during the Roman Empire, some people actually did see God - physically! (Jesus is God, the Son, who came “in the flesh”.) But for now, we see his marvels in creation. They “tell” of his power and intelligence.  However, to experience his love, people have to hear about it and trust him. This historical record of Jesus of Nazareth, is what people must hear. 

Faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

The logos...which was with God, and was God...became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-18, excerpts.)

The heavens are declaring the glory of God. (Psalm 19)

His eternal power and deity are clearly seen in the things created. (Romans 1:20)

It was not possible for him to be held by death. (Acts 2:24)

Don't be afraid. I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

We have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (I Peter 1:3-4)