Finding the Way Home
The eNewsletter Archive

Below is the archived version of Marshall Hayden's eNewesletter "Finding the Way Home." If you would like to be added to to mailing list, please send a blank email to evangelism-subscribe@worthingtoncc.org.

You may also view our archived articles here.

May 2007

Fasten Your Seat Belts!

Vacation Bible School is coming to Worthington Christian Church July 15-20. This is not "business as usual."

Last year a gentleman walked into the closing program; and when it was over he left in shock. Granted, his response was colored by the fact that he was looking for material that could be used in a divorce action lawsuit, which he had filed against his wife (a member here). But it seemed a bit surprising that he hurried to his lawyer, saying that she was dragging his children to a cult.

However, if I were to walk in, cold, to a closing VBS program, I might catch my breath and raise an eyebrow, too. My personal expressions of worship would probably be described as sedate. Excited children who have learned how to sing praise to God, and who are enjoying their friends, could hardly be described as sedate.

While in Austria in March I was dragged up to a platform with two other guys by three ladies from a traveling "Sound of Music" program to do a folk dance. I thought that I would expire on the spot. I last did any kind of a dance about forty-eight years ago. And when singing praise songs the highest I feel compelled to lift my hands is about the third rib up. VBS kids reach for the sky, and jump as high as their little legs will propel them. Ordinarily dignified adults wear t-shirts with the VBS slogan, and stand and sing with abandon. "Loud" hardly does justice in describing the decibel level. But when it happens at the end of a week of "full contact" Vacation Bible School I just stand and smile. It's wonderful! "Inhibited" is not a word that comes to mind.

There's a lot to be said for that. If one of Ohio's major league baseball teams should win a world series, nobody would think that frenzy was out of place. When OSU was getting ready for the National Championships in football and basketball, unbridled enthusiasm was not only acceptable, but expected. Wouldn't you think that "jumping, shouting, and singing" might be the right thing to do when saluting the One who said "I came that they might have life, and have it to the full," and "whoever who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life?" I think we can take a lesson from VBS. And if you are a kid, or if you have a kid, don't miss it!