You want Me To Do WHA?!?!?!?!

A few Wednesdays ago, I get a call from the church asking if I had anything to share. I thought it was a weird question, so I started going on about some praise reports and threw in a prayer request. While in the middle of speaking, I was interrupted by, "no, can you share something with the kids tonight?" I was speechless for about 8 seconds and replied,"about what?" haha

Turns out, they needed someone to teach the kids that night. It was 2:30PM and I leave work and go straight to church on Wednesdays because I like to be there a little early to make sure things will run smooth throughout service for the kids. So, I was pretty excited to find out they thought of me to teach the kids something over all of the other people involved within the youth leadership group. I was so freaked out!

I had been meditating on Job 42:1-6. So, I figured it was best to share what God had put on my heart for myself. What better way to teach than from experience?

It was after St. Patrick's Day also. If none of you actually know the story behind St. Patrick's Day, then keep reading - it's pretty interesting. This was the plan I prepared within 2 hours of getting to church. It was rough teaching these kids with such short notice, but a lot of them came up to me afterward and really opened up. It was such a blessing! Here's the lesson outline:

We just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day – why?

In the fifth century there was a 16 year old boy from Whales, named Maewyn. He was captured by Irish soldiers and sold into slavery, beaten and tormented. Through that time he was able to see a different side of the Lord when he escaped from the people who kept him as a slave. He would soon go to a monastery where he would change his name to Patrick after vowing to live for Christ. He spent the rest of his life spreading the word of God and ministering to the countrymen in Ireland. A trifoliate clover (three leaf clover) is what he used to explain to people the trinity, three elements forming one entity. Speaking to people about Christ and explaining the trinity through demonstration…even though he didn’t live for 200 years…God used Patrick. His hardships brought opportunity not only for Patrick, but for many other people.

An author, George Grant writes this in a book he wrote about Patrick, “We know that often it is in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, labors, sleeplessness and hunger that our real mettle is proven. Nevertheless, we often forget that these things are not simply to be endured. They actually frame our greatest calling.”

Webster’s dictionary definition of Mettle – powerful strength of spirit/ staying quality.

Suffering brings challenge, but suffering also brings opportunity.

How would your response to suffering change, if you saw the opportunity in suffering?

It’s a challenge that we face. We see suffering as a challenge when we look at Job.

Job 1:6-12God gives Satan the power to do whatever he wants to Job. In chapter 2:4-6 Satan proclaims, ”A man will give all he has for his own life, but stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones and he will surely curse you to your face!”

Do you hear that challenge? Satan is basically saying to God, “does Job love you b/c of what you do for him or does he love you for who you are?”

“If you take away all of the blessings….will he still love you?”

What about you? Even me? We can claim to “love” God, but what is that love really all about?

Think about it this way, what blessing or blessings might you lose that could lead you to not love God, but hate Him? – a friend – family member – your health – car..we can keep going.

The longer we make the list you have to ask yourself this question, “am I loving and praising God for who He is or for what He’s been blessing us with?”

It’s good to thank Him for gifts and blessings, but is that it? Are our hearts responding and submitting to the giver of those things?

In Chapter 42 verses 1-6,
Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you. You asked, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? It is I, and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, “Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

When we suffer, God strips away what we assume we must have and leaves us only with Himself, the only One thing we must have.

How are you viewing your suffering? Is someone you know suffering? This is your opportunity to submit and to love God as the only One who will be with you…whatever comes next…He’s there!

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, ”So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

It's nice to go back, listen to the talk and go over the notes. I actually said 15th century instead of 5th and I heard myself chewing gum ....I guess that's why they suggest mints as an alternate. But, if the kids understood and the message was delivered, I am satisfied and consider it a great blessing to have been available to share with these kids.