To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen 1 Timothy 1.17
We are pulling a box from the top shelf in the garage tonight. I say “we” because I’ve agreed with my son that I will no longer climb on ladders in the garage to reach the storage. As a wise woman told me, when I was in my 20’s, “This getting old is not for sissies!” To be completely honest, it’s just so humbling. Yet as in the Scripture above (the theme verse for our VBS), only God is immortal, right? So why do I struggle so much with the privilege of aging? Anyway, about the box …
The box I’m looking for holds stuffed animals; what my husband used to call “furry friends.” Now furry things don’t sound like jungle things necessarily but I’m looking for a four-foot long blue snake, a monkey, a tiger, and maybe a lizard. Our VBS décor crew is asking to borrow some fun elements to add to their plan as they turn our building into a jungle over the next week and a half. So I will be dumping out the box from the garage onto the couch and sorting through … jungle or not?
I fully admit I don’t have much desire to go to an actual jungle; too warm for this Pacific Northwest girl! But I am excited for all that our kids will experience as they journey through the Bible on a jungle adventure with daily Bible lessons moving from Genesis all the way to Revelation!
I did not begin to learn about Jesus until I was in my mid-30’s. I joined a weekly Bible study which would be from September to May. It was the first time I had read nearly anything in the Bible and it rocked my world. Over those nine months, I read it literally, probably not grasping much of the symbolism and the many connecting strains of truth. Since then, the Lord has allowed my understanding to grow gradually, blessing me again and again with sound Bible teaching and Bible study group discussions. My heart is full to overflow in knowing there is a red thread that runs throughout all of the Bible. It is God’s love and His mercy. His plan to rescue and redeem. It was always God’s plan to bring salvation to the Jews and the non-Jews, if they would believe in God’s Son, Jesus, as Savior of the world and Lord of their lives.
The jungle adventure at VBS can be the starting point for kids to have their world rocked by the Truth. What a privilege we have to share the gospel with our community. And anyone can support this mission. Borrowed jungle creatures or fake plants, food items for the children and the amazing volunteer team, and items to be used at the various adventure stops like chemicals and tubes and plastic boats. Check with us Sunday about what is still needed!
One more thing … Would you pray this week for the children to feel welcome when they are with us July 15-19 and know that we are happy to spend this time with them. Because the message is so much bigger than a jungle adventure. It’s about passionately connecting our community to Jesus so God is glorified and lives are changed forever!
What a blessing it is to be on this life adventure with you! Love, Colleen
P.S. I did not find the box of furry friends, so no snakes or monkeys will be loaned to VBS by the Laceys. Do you have some to lend? 🙂