Mark 8.12 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this
generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”
(NIV)
Last night (or this morning, whichever you prefer) I
stayed up all night with our Royal Ranger group (and some invited guests) at
church. It was called a Lock-In and
as you see, we were locked in (2
adults and 25 or so 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.)
We in America (somewhat) and especially in our church would call this ministry: we let 25 kids get together, play
video games, watch movies, play dodge ball, smash-mouth, and gaga-ball*). All
night.
The reason we do this (although not too often, thank You
Lord!) is we want to be faithful adults facilitating a youth gathering where we
all have fun together, invite some friends, and hint at why it would be
important to be a part of Royal Rangers at our church (call it out-reach if you want…) It’s a point of
reference for the kids: Yeah I remember
this time I went to this all-nighter at a friend’s church and we had food and
fun all night and some guy prayed over the food.
I suppose I look for a sign that something happened. Well,
you know, something did happen – we stayed up all night, and had a lot of fun,
and two adults made sure we didn’t do anything stupid. Now, did anyone get
saved? Not that I’m aware. Did anyone get healed? Not that I’m aware. The
operative word here is: not that I’m
aware. I am not aware of the inner workings of God on the heart of a
person. I know so little about them that to guess or surmise, or judge that God
has done anything is simply arrogance on my part. I am not privy to the private
movements of God in a person’s life.
The Pharisees, in Mark 8, demanded a sign: Prove Yourself, Bigshot! And Jesus
replied, Nope! Ain’t happenin’! (His
implication was: y’all gonna jus’ have to
take Me by faith.) God doesn’t need to prove Himself to anyone – ever. When
I read this passage I see Jesus shaking His head in exasperation and saying: You people! With all we’ve been through over
the last two millennia together, what more do you want!?
Today, I am tired and worn out from staying up all night.
But today, by faith, I know God was there because, for at least two of us, we
were there in faith that what we were
doing – sleep-deprived and all – it was
for God, and the kids for which we did it. And this: we all made a giant leap
forward in building relationships, and maybe some friendships, that will
transcend the passing of the years to come, and may result in someone(s) coming
to know Jesus better. What more of a sign
do I need than that!?
Father, the sign is simply this: You’ve allowed me by
Your grace to know You, be excited about You, and trust that what I truly do
for You (all-nighters and all) will have some effect for the Kingdom over which
You rule and wherein I am Your child – my sign is You by faith! Amen.
*Really fun action games in which one has to think, stay
awake, and not get hit in the face with a rubber ball…
PS: To Pastor Brad Philips I am eternally grateful –
thank you for letting me be a part!
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