April Cub Club

Jeremiah

Our beloved little ones can be quiet for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they’re thinking; other times they’re scared, and other times it’s simply their God-given temperament.

One thing we’ve all discovered by now is that our little ones pick up on things we think (or hope!) they’ve missed. Being on the outside of a world built by adults for adults, being a step back from everything comes with great perspective. It was the same for the Old Testament prophets who felt their belonging to a different world more deeply than others, who so often lived close to the heart of God but on the edges of God’s community — observing, praying, waiting for the right moment. These are the people that God chooses to speak the most important messages to His people, in the most important moments.

But let me be honest for a moment. I am a senior leader in a global network of Churches that’s known for being loud, confident and ‘shiny’. We are comfortable with the limelight and trying to grab the attention of the world. I fear that, deep-down, a part of us believes that when people think we’re cool, the world will accept the message we bring. We are so wrong.

That’s not the Gospel, and that’s not how God has ever worked throughout the New or Old Testament. The world doesn’t need God’s people to be worldly; it needs God’s people to be Godly. And often being Godly means taking a step back from everything and looking with a different perspective.

Jeremiah is a great example. He of all the Old Testament prophets seem a bit… well… weird. And quiet. And awkward. And there’s nothing shiny or worldly impressive about him.

But he was beloved, gifted and called, and had a purpose. And that was all that mattered.

He’s shy, afraid, second-guessing himself and full of self-doubt. Time and time again he shows up in the middle of situations having observed from the sidelines, with an important message from the Lord.

When it comes to those of us who are shy, or a little socially awkward for whatever reason (of which I am one), this is a great reassurance.

I’m grateful to those older Christians who, when I came to faith at 15, made space for me to contribute, despite my weirdness. We can do the same for our little ones in their quieter moments too.

Instead of forcing them into the limelight, we can create safe spaces where their observations are welcomed. We can ask them what they noticed at church, in the playground, at the dinner table; during side conversations while we walk, or in the middle of a play session. Often, their gentle insights reveal God’s heart with surprising clarity. Over time, their confidence in sharing these thoughts from God’s heart will grow.

It’ll be the same for us, and those in our community who perhaps get overlooked amidst the worldly temptations of our churches. We know that “real faith” does not start loud, platformed, or public. When God whispers, “I am with you; do not be afraid,” it is as much for us grownups at a workplace meeting or a hard conversation with a friend as it is for children at a party or in the playground.

Perhaps today, the bravest thing we can do is to say what we see; and the biggest gift we can give our little ones is to ask them what they’ve noticed, and listen with open hearts.

Love, as ever

B x

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News

I’ve made some Kids Church and Sunday School sessions to share. I’m giving away the first one for free, it’s on my LinkTree on the LSLL instagram already. I’ll upload the rest as later in the week — it’ll be paid as part of my ‘tent-making’.

And finally, as always

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