“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day” Acts 2:47 (NAS)
The last two weeks I’ve spent some time teaching at church camp, teenagers last week and grade school kids this week.
When I got there yesterday, the chapel was mostly empty ahead of a large group teaching session. Mostly. Up near the front of the room, the camp pastor sat with a couple of kids and teenaged helpers. I caught snatches of the conversation – “Romans,” and “all have sinned,” that kind of stuff – and I realized I was watching a birth. A new birth.
I was struck by two things about the scene in front of me. First of all, it was a gift to be able to witness it. I find it is so easy to get wrapped up in other details (like having both cars in the shop and having to put a roof on) … that the amazing wonder of another precious human being being rescued from eternal judgment by a God who willingly sacrificed Himself to make that happen because of His boundless love … isn’t as amazing as it should be. Shame on me.
Second, what made the scene unique and honestly brought tears to my eyes was the support the other kids were showing to the one the pastor was working with. They hugged her. They put a hand on her back. They paced and prayed. They were like a little group of spiritual midwives trying to help the birth in any way they could. I later found out that one of the kids was barely two hours old herself, but she wanted her friend to know and experience the salvation that she had. How awesome is that?
So once again, God taught the teacher more than anyone else. God reminded me that He is at work all around me, but often I choose not to look for the signs. I get so focused on the areas I can’t see Him working that I miss the good stuff. “And,” He says, “Trust Me, there is good stuff.”
When was the last new birth you witnessed (or assisted with)?