VBS: "The Encouragement of Light"

“How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against its being, otherwise, we all remain too frightened.” –Hafiz, The Gift (Translated by Daniel Ladinksy; posted by Jim Marsh at inward/outward.org)

Can there be better encouragers of light to budding hearts than the people who make Vacation Bible School happen?  For ten summers now it has been my privilege to observe the opening of roses as laughter, praise and wonder rise up from the eyes, mouths and hands of children displaying their unique brand of enthusiasm for Jesus.  Their praise blesses the church and world.

For ten summers now I have watched our building be transformed into forests, jungles, oceans and more by the most creative, hard-working servants of Jesus you can find.  I have witnessed a couple dozen gifted women and men lead many dozens of children through five mornings of learning the story of the Bible, using their many gifts to stretch bodies, minds and imaginations.

Why would these friends of Jesus offer a summer week, and all of the hours and hours that lead up to it, year after year after year, for children they often do not know and may not see again? Because they are possessed, in the best sense of that word, by the Light; a Light so powerful that it cannot remain within them; a Light which must be set free to press against the darkness, into every corner inhabited by fear, so that the Light can reach the roses within the hearts.

The world is a more beautiful place today because the encouragers set free their light for no better reason than this: God has sent them with a message of his goodness.

When the world is dark, God sends the light.  When the rosebuds are shy, God is good.