Treasures From VBS

My heart is bubbling over for the joy of leading a 10 year-old boy to Christ! I’m telling you, there’s nothing sweeter this side of heaven than seeing a child come to Christ. Let me tell you the story – it’s precious because his soul is precious to God.

There is a dear grandfather in our church who has been burdened for his grandsons. Mom and Dad don’t go to church, and the boys weren’t really keen on coming to vacation Bible school with Grandpa, but out of their respect for him, they came. Grandpa brought oatmeal cookies one night and brownies another to help with snacks! Amazing! What a great example of a man using what he has to serve the Lord!

Every night at VBS I have had the tremendous privilege of sharing the story of Hudson Taylor, missionary to China in the 1800’s. His life has been such a blessing to me as I’ve read about his trust in God, his utter dependence on the Lord for everything, and his burden for the lost. Last night’s lesson dealt with a man who was an idol worship leader, Mr. Ni. He had no peace and stopped in the chapel where Mr. Hudson was preaching to try to find the answers for which he had been searching. That night he heard truths he had never heard before. He heard that Jesus loved him, died on the cross and rose again to give eternal life to whomever would trust Him. Mr. Ni stood and professed Christ, denouncing his idol worship.

Though the missionary story doesn’t call for an invitation, I felt impressed all afternoon to give one for those that may feel like Mr. Ni – afraid of death and full of wondering what would happen when they die. I asked for a raise of hands of those that would want to receive Christ and have assurance of eternal life. This 10 year old boy shot his hand up in the air. My instruction to him was if he wanted to be saved to come and sit on the front pew after we dismissed so I could open the Bible and show him how he could be saved.

Now, you have to understand that after I said “Amen,” our youth pastor came up, gave instructions, announcements and then dismissed the children to go to their classes, so there were a few minutes that passed from the time of the invitation. I waited on the pew and then out of the corner of my eye, I saw this young man making his way up front. He then sat beside me. I took him to the foyer of our church to talk with him, and on our heels was… his grandfather.

“May I join you?” he asked. I was delighted to have him there as his grandson, with great confidence in the Scriptures that I had him read, openly and unashamedly received Christ. Grandpa had tears in his eyes as his grandson prayed and then hugged his grandfather’s neck saying, “Christ is my Savior!” This is what it’s all about – laying up treasures in heaven.

Our missionary story ended with Mr. Ni asking Hudson Taylor, “How long have you missionaries known about this story of Jesus?” “Many years. Hundreds of years” was Hudson’s sad reply. “Why didn’t missionaries come sooner?” he asked.

Who in your circle is waiting for you to tell them that Jesus loves them? A relative, neighbor, son, daughter, co-worker or friend? Oh, perhaps they don’t know they need to hear, but One day they’ll understand. Let’s don’t wait for it to be too late for them to receive Christ and turn to us before they are doomed to hell and ask, “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Let’s keep telling the story of Jesus and finding treasures that are eternal!

Praying for a burden for the lost,