For this month, I want to share a talk I wrote for a kid's sermon this summer. The target audience was this lively little group of individuals you see pictured below, but I felt it connected well with adults too. It's longer than what I usually compose here, so I won't feel bad if you skim. In a beautiful connection, this chapel is where Ryan and I got married nine years ago!
The text is Psalm 27, primarily verse 4: "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
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| photo credit: Phil Foxwell |
hi, i’m happy to see you all! today we’re talking about two ideas. these ideas are actually things that i think you guys are really good at and adults like me have a hard time with.
so i’m going to tell you the two things and remind you that you are really good at them, and then ask you to help the adults in your life do a better job with these two ideas.
so here’s the first idea: dwell.
the first part of today’s verse says: that i may dwell in God’s house
what does dwell mean? to stay, to linger, to move in for a long, slow time. here at Takayama, we each have a place where we dwell for a week or so. but one of the great things, i think, is that we are all neighbors. a lot of days, some of you have come over to my house, and come in to play. it’s great, and i love welcoming friends into my house.
and when you come in, you do the next word: inquire
the next verse says, inquire of God . . .
what does inquire mean? it means to ask a question. usually, that’s the first thing someone does when they come to my house. they might first say, “hi!” but they usually also say, “what are you guys up to?” and then we say, “hey, come on in!”
can i tell you something? God loves it when you say that to him: “hey, God? can I come in?” God will always say, “yes! I’m expecting you!”
then there’s another question that a lot of you ask, that God also loves: “what are you doing? can i help?” God loves this. My kids always ask me this, and i try to let them help, even when it gets really messy. and you know? God is just the same way; God loves to have your help even when it gets extra messy.
here’s another way some of you inquire when you come to my house: i’m hungry! (that’s not really a question is it). what you mean is, do you have any food for me? this is one of God’s favorite questions i think. when you go to God’s house, there is always lots and lots of good food, and always enough to share.
and here’s one last question; no one has asked me this so far this week, but it happens sometimes. actually, the guy, David, we’re reading about today, this was probably his biggest question: I need help! I’m scared, can i hide here? this is a very important question that you should always ask when you need. God’s house is always a place to hide.
now, what were our two words? dwell, and inquire. as kids, you are very good at dwelling, at coming into a place, making it your own and relaxing there. and you are very good at asking important questions like, “can i help?” and “do you have food for me?” and “can i hide here for a while?” adults are not so good at asking these questions. adults feel like maybe they’re in the way or being a bother. and adults feel like they shouldn’t ask too many questions otherwise people will be annoyed.
so here’s the thing: when adults are in charge, sometimes what we call God’s house gets a little weird. you have to be really quiet all the time, and sit really still and not move around for a really long time, and there aren’t usually snacks, or at least not very good ones. but you guys know, that’s quite what God has in mind. God likes to hear our voices, and God likes when we’re energetic and asking how we can help with his plans. and God likes when we have good things to eat.
today’ we’ll try to make God’s house a little more like God likes it. I have a snack for you! just a little something, but it’s to remind you that you should always come over to God’s house and move in there, and you will always be fed!
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