I Drew You
We had VBS recently and I was blessed to teach the 3rd and 4th graders at “Camp Canaan.” We got to watch as God gave the Israelites directions safely through the Red Sea for “water safety.” We saw God provide (our version) of manna and quail in “wilderness preparation.” And we talked about the salvation God gave the Israelites when they followed His direction to look at the bronze serpent in the wilderness.
Each night, I tried to make a New Testament application for my students and we also tried to connect it in a real way to their daily lives. We did fun things like use wind (them blowing through a straw) to part the Red Sea (Jello). We talked about serious things like what repentance really means – not just saying you’re sorry but actually changing your actions. But in the end, one sweet little girl may have taught me more than I could ever teach them in just three short nights.
On night one, as we talked about guidance provided by God, I asked the kids what made the difference in the middle of the sea? After all, the Egyptians were going through the same body of water as the Israelites had just successfully navigated on dry ground. Thankfully, they understood that the difference was faith and following what God said to do. We then talked about how we don’t have a big pillar of fire and cloud to follow or God speaking aloud to our leaders as He did with Moses and Aaron. We discussed how we could know which way to go and what to do in our lives. We spoke of the Bible and how God communicates with us there. We also talked about adults in their lives who have their best interest at heart and will help them learn what the Bible says.
In that section of the night when I tried to make a connection to their lives, I asked them to write someone or something on a sticky note that represents how God gives direction today and place it on our class poster. One sweet little girl stopped to show me her contribution on the way to the poster and my heart melted when she said, “I drew you.”
Later, I realized the awesome responsibility her sticky note placed on my shoulders … and not just for that one little girl. As the saying goes, we may be the only Bible some people ever see. May I always point little ones – and older friends, too – to the only One who can direct them, provide for them, and save them in the end.
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
