Monday, May 24, 2010

The Season of Pentecost

   The season of Pentecost is the celebration of the beginning of the church as a body. In the second chapter of Acts they spoke in many different languages to further the kingdom of God. A very simple lesson for the church of today and for our children is that there are many ways to teach of the love of Christ and many ways to hear the love of Christ.

   Within any group there are a diverse set of talents. Anyone who believes that their talent is superior is sorely mistaken. Some teach through words, some through service and all through the way we live our lives. We must teach our children that all talents are valuable within the church and life, that the church is not an institution of religion, but the people who come together for the glory of God. Too often we underestimate the need for compassion in favor of the more showy gifts.

    Each child will have a unique offering to God and to the church. Some can speak publicly; some can sing; some are never in front of a crowd but serve with gracious compassion, some with gentle courteousness. Church is not a scheduled performance with the big acts getting more prominence. It is  about building a family of God person by person, reaching each person and each child with the language that best suits them. Listen to the many voices, watch the many servants and admire the lives of those who model Christ. Share all of this with your children lest they be distracted by the showy parts. Day in and day out encourage your children to see, while reminding yourself,  that each one of us is an instrument of the Holy Spirit as along as we make ourselves available to move forward for Christ.

Have an enriching Pentecost,
Michelle