Don’t Forget Them
“It costs a lot to do this,” “Hardly any families come as a result,” “It’s tough keeping up with them.” These are just a few of the statements that I have heard from church members over the years regarding youth events like Vacation Bible School. Indeed, the older I get, the more sensible these remarks sound. Of course, at the end of the day, they are still just petty excuses. The reality is that these same individuals I have heard complaining, when it comes to their own children or grandchildren, are willing to go to far greater lengths to entertain them.
When I pastored in Alma, GA, there was a deacon at the church named Henry Clay. He was already in his eighties when I started ministering there, but the energy he had was a sight to behold. So was his devotion to God. What stood out to me the most was how much he loved children. He always made the kids at church feel special. He and his wife, Yvonne, looked after their great-grandchildren for years so their granddaughter could work. He would often tell me, “Josh, kids keep you young!”
Mark 10:13–16 states: “Some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. When Jesus saw this, he became irritated. He told them, ‘Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of God’s kingdom. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom as a little child receives it will never enter it.’ Jesus put his arms around the children and blessed them by placing his hands on them.” (GWT) This is a very familiar passage, but you may question my use of this particular translation. Obviously, it is more simplistic than the KJV, ESV, and even the NIV. However, it is a version that is geared for even a child to understand.
The truth of this passage is still the same. God loves children, and He desires child-like faith to be found in our hearts. We cannot afford to overlook the younger generation. Just as Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep,” He also told him, “Feed my lambs.” I hope that as I grow older, my desire for youth to see the love of Christ will never diminish, and that I will always find great joy in leading them to His truth (3 John 1:4). They are the church of today and tomorrow. If we don’t strive to embrace and edify the younger generation, not only will we soon shut our doors, but we will have much to account for before the very One who declared, “Let them come to Me.”
