So I should catch everyone up on what's happening within Middle School Youth Ministries first.
We're still averaging @ 60 kids, and I have some FANTASTIC High School and adult leaders. Thanks Terah for dressing up like a Yeti and playing Sardines! Sorry Travis and Keegan that we had to abandon looking for you because we ran out of time! I think the next time we do this, it would be more fun for the youth if we let them hide by grade and then go find them.
Our topic was: "If people spend so much time and money trying to prove that things like the Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster....why is it so hard for people to admit they're looking for God?
I posed the question of what if someone says to you they don't believe in God...a couple of them responded back..."then you ask them a question back--like "How do you know He's not real?"
I then read a couple of passages:
God’s word: Deuteronomy 4:29: Talking about worshipping other things than God and finding no comfort in those “things”….
“From there you will search for Him with all your heart and soul, and you will find Him.”
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”
Matthew 7:7 (Jesus speaking): Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
One of our MS girls--Jenny said to me, "I get it. I see how the Yeti and God are kind of alike. He's kind of mysterious and hidden and we need to search for Him to find Him in our lives."
God know we all have questions. He knows we're all seeking. The great thing about the Bible is that throughout the whole book--old testament and new testament--it's cohesive...even though there's mystery--there are guiding answers as well. I think God needs to have some mysteriousness to keep us wondering, keep us searching, and keep us interested. If He gave us all of the answers and everything we wanted, we just might not need Him. And I'm pretty sure I need him--a lot.
Peace!!
