Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God. we hope you enjoy this message from the children’s ministry leader, Michael Townsend. Sunday school starts at 10AM every Sunday upstairs, you can drop your children off at 9:45AM.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you follow that path or dream, or did you change your mind? I am sure you changed your mind a few times, and it is quite possible that you are not doing what you had planned. We rarely do what we had originally planned to do. I certainly am not doing what I had wanted to do as a child, but as I look back, I see the path that I once could not see. His ways are greater than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9); his plans are greater than my plans. He already knew what He wanted me to be and already set a plan for me, because He knew the plans He had for me (Jeremiah 29:11). Why can we not see those plans from the beginning?

The bible gives some insight into the jobs or skills the disciples had before they met Jesus. Many of them were fishermen, some were tradesmen, one was a doctor, another was a tax collector, another was involved in a political movement, and one follower was a tentmaker. Each one was called for a particular purpose. Jesus called them to be fishers of men (Mark 1:17). Although I was not there, I am pretty sure that Simon Peter had no idea what that meant or what he was going to face, let alone that it was in God’s plan for him to fish for people and be a leader in the foundation of the Church. It would be three years of teaching before Peter was ready, and Lord knows Peter did not have patience. 

All the disciples had matured over the three years with Jesus, but it was the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), and their walk with the Lord became different and more mature than ever. They were no longer the same fishermen, tradesmen, tax collector, or tentmaker. These were men who had an idea of their future, but their journey had changed from what they had expected, because God wanted to use them in His mission to restore creation.

When we give up our lives for the Lord, we must do so willingly, just as Christ gave up His life for us. We did not make ourselves, and therefore it is not our life to live, but a life that was given to us by the Creator to us for His purpose. Give unto Him what is His (Matthew 22:21). Embrace the plan that God has for you, despite what you thought your plan was. For all things are for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), even our paths, when guided by the true Waymaker. 

Last week, the little lambs learned about the Journey of Christ, the washing of feet, and the meaning behind it. Washing the feet seems such a small act for our time, but in the time of Jesus, it was a humble moment for someone to become a servant. The act of washing the feet was common before eating or sitting with others. The feet were probably covered with much and therefore needed to be cleaned. However, there was no servant at the time of the Passover dinner, and Jesus chose to show his love by becoming the servant to his disciples. It is the kind of love we should show to others by becoming servants to one another. This week, the children will be learning a little about palms and what they mean as Jesus entered the city, and about the final meal he had with his beloved brothers, including the one who betrayed him. 

I look forward to seeing each of you tomorrow. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you, may the Lord bless you with love and joy, and a peace beyond our understanding, and may He bless you with guidance, comfort, and healing when needed.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)