No Need to be Ashamed
“How are you doing?” This simple phrase has become a typical greeting in our culture and honestly, my answer will depend on who is doing the asking. My answer will also depend on how vulnerable I am at that moment. In a way, I act like a chameleon but not because I’m intending on withholding true feelings. Rather, it is because I’m not as carefree with my answers as I could be. While it is healthy for us to be honest with ourselves and with others, it boils down to being vulnerable… and if that vulnerability will be embraced or if it will become our embarrassment.
One of the many blessings of working in Children’s Ministry is to witness the unabashed freedom children have to ‘say it like it is’. Those really fun games you worked so hard at? That special snack you made? A craft that took hours to prepare? You might think it’s all amazing but kids, well, you’ll find out soon enough if they agree or not ;) Sure, there are a few who are a little too free with their comments. We’ve all experienced that! For the most part though, their response is just plain honest. They are ok to simply speak truth. What a beautiful lesson for us to learn.
2 Timothy 2:15 states “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” This is such an encouragement. There are times when the feedback I get is hard to hear. This verse though is one we should cling to! Do. Your. Best. But, it goes even deeper than that. We are presenting ourselves to God. It is for Him that we are doing our work.
Timothy continues by reminding us to be people who are ‘rightly handling the word of truth’. There is no middle ground on this. We as God’s workers have no wiggle room when it comes to God’s Word. In fact, this is the focus of next Awesome Kidmin Conference (March 10 and 11). The authority of the bible is instrumental to our faith. It is this foundation we must teach to the youngest church attendees. It’s the reason why we celebrate Christmas!
This gift of God’s son isn’t just a story. He is the fulfillment of prophesies. He is the promised Messiah. He truly is the only way for our salvation. How sad when God’s Word is diminished. So, how are you doing? Our hope and prayer is that you are able to confidently say, because of the power of the Holy Spirit, that you are a truth speaker and teaching from the Word of God… because if that’s our answer, then we really have ‘no need to be ashamed’.