Week 7 Wednesday

Keep Me Truckin’

Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 18-20

Key verses: Psalm 18:28

     Recently, during one of my children’s sermons at church, I asked the kids how other people could know that they (the children) were lovers of God – just by looking at them.  I asked a simple question: “What does a lover of God look like, anyway?”  Instantly – one of our little boys enthusiastically answered “ME!”

     Then, on top of that, when I asked the kids if someone asked them if they went to church – should they respond glumly, “Yeah, my Mom and Dad make me…” or answer differently?  As if right on cue, one of the little girls jumped up with a smile that could melt the hardest of atheist hearts.  She threw her arms up in the air (just for emphasis) and she yelled, “We should say ‘THIS IS THE BEST CHURCH EVER!!”

     Those are the kind of moments preachers live for.

Instantly I was reminded of days long ago, singing at Vacation Bible School, “I’ve got the love of Jesus down in my heart!” and “Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning, burning, burning…” – old “faithful” camp songs and the like.  I remember another verse that we all loved singing, “Give me gas for my Ford, keep me truckin’ for the Lord!”

     I know – it doesn’t get much cornier than that.  But we sang it with gusto just the same – because that’s what kids do so easily.

     It’s a shame that over time many of us lose those joyful, exuberant days of our early days in the faith.  It’s too bad that life takes its toll and we find it difficult, at best, to yell out “THIS IS THE BEST CHURCH EVER!”  It’s especially sad that so many of us find it difficult to affirm, if asked what a God lover looks like, that it looks like us.

     So, the next time you feel down, remember those enthusiastic kids in my church – and the joyful expression of the Psalmist – the one who talks about how God keeps his faith “lamp” burning –

         “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

     And keep on truckin’.

 

Prayer: Thank you Father, for joyful and faithful children.  Make me one of them.  AMEN.