The following article was published in the Arthur Graphic-Clarion in June 2013.

Its summer vacation and that means its Vacation Bible School time! It was a real blessing to see the energy and the enthusiasm this past week as the community Vacation Bible School was taking place here at the church. Record numbers were set each day with well over 200 children in attendance. The numbers are great but the most important thing is that the Word of God and the Good News of Jesus were being taught, talked about, and sown into the lives of all those children. The theme of SonWest Roundup provided a fun western theme for the week and gave all of the wonderful volunteers a lot of opportunities to get creative with the activities and their attire.

It truly is amazing to sit back and watch the enthusiasm that children have. We adults would do well sometimes to loosen up and let the excitement of being a forgiven Christian be evident in our lives too. Perhaps that is what Paul was encouraging in Romans 12 when he says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” When the children last week were encouraged to yell “Yeehaw!” they did it with zeal and fervor. Yes, they were excited to be at Bible School with all of their friends, but I believe they were also excited about what they were hearing about Jesus. It is Good News! It is reason to be excited! So why not show it?

What a blessing it is to see various Arthur churches, many volunteers, and lots of children come together for such a wonderful week. It was encouraging to see the adult volunteers last week show the same zeal and fervor that the children were showing. Their commitment to sharing the stories of Jesus and planting the seeds of God in these kids lives will most surely bring a harvest in the days ahead. Thank you to all of those who gave your time to make a difference in this community and in these children’s lives!

As we live our lives outside of the exciting weeks of Bible School I would like to encourage us to remember these youth and their excitement. May it encourage us to be enthusiastic about our faith as well. How can you not be thrilled when you hear truth and promises in God’s Word like these…..

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

And those are just a few. Let’s join the children at Bible School this past week and show our enthusiasm and excitement for what God has done for us! When you see a child show enthusiasm or excitement this week let it remind you of our need to do the same. Join with the apostle Paul and say, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Pastor Glen Rhodes

Arthur Mennonite Church