First United Methodist Church

Fran and I sometimes watch the show Survivor. That and the Amazing Race are about the only “reality” TV we watch. And there’s something I’ve learned that becomes obvious from watching these shows. You find what you’re looking for.

For example, in Survivor there’s something called an immunity idol. When a player has this rare item and they use it, they are immune from votes counting against them. That means during tribal council when everyone votes on who must leave, the idol barer can’t be voted off the island. Having one of these is really important. Idols completely change how you live with your tribe. Everyone wants an immunity idol and they all know the immunity idols are hidden around the island.

Once in a great while they will find an idol while they’re walking to the beach, going to the water well, or taking a nature hike. However, there is typically a scramble, finding moments to sneak away from camp so they can secretly hunt for this elusive advantage. In their quest to survive, they climb trees, crawl through brush, and stick their hands into all kinds of dark scary holes searching for and seeking a hidden immunity idol. Those who are willing to do the work are the ones most likely to receive a payoff. They find what they’re looking for.

What are we looking for? Are we willing to do the work to find it? When we want to be successful in school, we do our homework and get tutors. When we want to be successful at work we put in extra effort, overtime, recruit helpers, whatever it takes to close the deal or to complete the project. When we want to do better with our families, we learn from our parents’ successes, listen to our friends with good relationships, make time to date our mate, and invest time, love, and wisdom into our children and grandchildren.

What about when we want to grow closer to God and live a more meaningful life? Do we spend time in worship, prayer, scripture reading, serving, giving, and telling others about Jesus? These are the keys to knowing God more, seeing God more, experiencing God more, and helping lead others into the knowledge, love, and experience of God. It doesn’t take a lot, but it requires that we make an effort dedicated to seeking what we’re looking for.

Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:7–8, “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened.” (CEB) What’s more is that God wants you to seek him. He wants you to find him. He loves you too much to hide himself.

On the show Survivor, the contestants, a.k.a. castaways, spend the majority of their time at camp, making fire, hunting for food, cooking, and strategizing while getting to know each other. Yet, they still find time to hunt for idols. May we still find time to hunt for God. May you find what you’re looking for, and may God bless you on your journey.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Daniel

Take your kids to church.
Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the fancy hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s everything and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in one hand and your make-up bag in the other. Give those babies a pop-tart and some milk and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church. You know why?

Because Jesus is there.

He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too, Mama.
He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the goldfish and the apple juice and the filling of their little bellies and hearts. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the raised hands and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.

So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Introduce them to Jesus. Tell them of His greatness - his power - his faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.

Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Wanted. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure. A little more love and a few less demands.

Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the dance studio or the gym. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Take them to church. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void.

Take them to church.
I promise it’s worth it.

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14