Forty

About forty minutes ago I sat in a small living room in an apartment on the third floor in a small India village. I sat in the honored guest’s seat, so I sat on the only piece of furniture in the room. Twenty-seven other people were also there; most sitting on small carpets or straw mats on the floor. Forty minutes ago I was charged with the task of motivating, explaining and informing the small church about the importance of children’s ministry and the purpose of Book of Hope. As I worked through my introduction and our mission statement I paused as I repeated these words, “It is our responsibility to tell children God loves them and Jesus is worthy of our praise”.

During the past week we’ve spent time with pastors and area coordinators challenging them to think differently about children’s ministry and how important it is. It’s important to understand that if we don’t put God’s word into the hearts and minds of the children, someone else will put something else there. There are over four hundred and twenty million children in India. There is a lack of material intended to reach children. Children are the most receptive to the Gospel. Forty minutes ago I looked into the eyes of the people who will first-hand tell children how much God loves them.

In the Indian context it is difficult to separate Jesus and the one true God from the multitudes of other religions. With millions of god’s in the Hindu religion Jesus becomes just another face among the others. What makes Him different or unique when there are other god’s promising prosperity, happiness, peace, long-life, fertility and other temporary fixes to our ailments? You need not drive far to find a shrine or a temple dedicated to a statue that will never heal, help or listen to your needs. These places of worship are visited daily by the masses. A small prayer or flowers or money is left to try and gain approval from the statue. Somehow in some way these rituals bring false hope that somehow the action of obedience and reverence will improve life. What is it that separates the story of Jesus Christ from the millions of other god’s? What is it that makes the story of Christianity so different than any other religion? The difference is that God sent Christ to return us to Him. God is reaching down to all who are willing to come, the Shiva’s aren’t trying to reach down to any of us.

In Matthew 21 we read an interesting story about children and what they are taught. In verse six we read how Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem. Coats and palm branches are laid before Him. As the crowds are shouting His praise, He begins healing and setting people free. Soon the children begin shouting as well. They know who Jesus is because they hear others praising Him and they see His miracles. The children hear what others are saying and they join in the worship. The religious leaders and teachers are upset and angry about what’s happening. The Pharisee’s are upset that even the children are praising Him. Jesus defends and rebukes them, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise”. The children were taught who He was and the praise He is due.

It always upsets me that the religious leaders and teachers didn’t even recognize who Jesus was. They were so caught up in their obedience to the law they were completely blinded when the fulfillment was right in front of them. I will never become a Pharisee. I will never tell people one thing and live another.

Our meeting tonight went well. The small church is excited to begin using the Book of Hope as a tool to reach the children in their communities. Each of the members will try to reach out to about 10 children each. This of course will also impact the families. As we prepared to leave I was struck by the thought that in one year this church may have to find a bigger house to meet in. Here, the children are being taught.

Forty minutes ago our car stopped at a light. A ten-year-old girl slowly approached the car. Her clothes were filthy. Even in the dim streetlight I could see she was dirty and malnourished. Her actions had obviously been repeated hundreds of times before. She slowly began wiping street dust from the windows of our car. After she finished she came to the window and tapped on it repeatedly. Putting her hand to her mouth as a sign to say she needed money for food. My mind and my heart battled. My mind tells me she’ll never see any of the money I give her. As soon as I hand it over someone older and much less needy will take it from her. My mind tells me that the money will never go to provide the food she desperately needs. What can I do? How much can I really help this little one? Are there any words that would break the lifestyle she lives in? While my mind tells me one thing, my heart breaks knowing she’s only trying to survive. The stillness in the vehicle marks the unease to which all four of us feel. We all sit in silence hoping the light will soon change, the traffic will begin moving and we can leave the whole situation behind us.

Forty-eight minutes ago I told 27 people they need to tell children God loves them and Jesus is worthy of our praise. Forty minutes ago I tried shifting my focus away from the hurting world this child lives in. Forty minutes ago I found myself a Pharisee.