Pastor John D Jakes

It may not be official yet, but summer is winding down. The change got me thinking about children and youth and their worship. Having been to many camps, I have seen children and youth focusing on God together. There is something about seeing children singing and playing their hearts out that is inspiring. They go until they drop. No half measures here. Oh, how I wish I was more like that.

Students are the same. At camp they get up at 7. They go hard all day. Then they drop. They play with abandon. They sing to God with passion. They hear from Him, and they desire to follow Him with all their being.

When I see the zeal of children and students at camp, I am reminded of these words from the apostle Paul –

“For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

Colossians 1:29

Paul, in this context, is referring to his passion to see people become healthy, mature believers. This was his calling. How did he approach this calling? He didn’t give it half-hearted attention. He didn’t give it a decent try. He poured himself into it. He uses Greek words which have clear parallels in English. Let me translate this verse using those parallels, and you will see what I am talking about:

“For this I work to exhaustion, agonizing according to His energy which like dynamite energizes me.”

These words, “exhaustion, agony, energy, dynamite, and energizes,” are giving-all words. Paul was not interested in half-hearted attempts at following Jesus. Like our children and students, Paul had the idea that he should pour himself out. Why would he do that? He does this because Jesus is worth it. The call and person of Jesus is worth being poured out like a drink offering. Not only that, but it is right to do so. Paul says,

“⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8

So, giving Jesus our best effort is worth it. Giving Jesus our best effort is right. Giving Jesus our best looks like being poured out until there is nothing left. That is both worth it and right. This means that the way our young people play and worship has much to teach us. Are we listening?

Something to think about,

Pastor John