Facing Fear, Trusting God.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

“Come on, Lacey!  If these little kids can ride this roller coaster, you can!”  I was so embarrassed.  This was my first trip with the Youth Group, one that I had looked forward to for so long because we were going to Six Flags in Atlanta, Georgia.  Who wouldn’t be excited about that?  My 12-year-old self loved every part of Six Flags… except the roller coasters. 

My older brother, Josh, was also in the youth group.  My role in the group was quickly established as the girl who was fine and content with holding everybody’s bags and Birkenstocks.  Because she didn’t want me to miss out on something out of fear, my mom finally offered me a bribe: if I could ride a real roller coaster, then she would pay me $40.  So I tried to force myself to ride a roller coaster with only two loops.  I got on the ride with my big brother, my protector.  I pulled the safety bar down, and then did the, oh so mature thing: started crying and screaming for them to let me off.

My brother, his friends, and eventually everyone who was waiting in line started encouraging me and telling me I could do it.  It wouldn’t last long.  It would be over before I knew it.  If the little kids could do it, surely a twelve year old could ride it.  I mustered up all my courage, held my breath, stopped the tears, and I told the guys running the ride that I could do it.  As soon as the ride started, the tears started back.  I screamed and cried the entire ride, begging for it to stop.  A thunderous applause awaited my return.  I was so embarrassed when the smaller kids got off the ride laughing and asking to ride it again, but I did it.  I rode a roller coaster. 

Besides roller coasters, I have several fears, and I hate the way fear controls my life sometimes.  I heard someone say the bigger our fear is, the smaller our God is.  We are ultimately telling God that we don’t trust Him to keep us safe.  The same God that parted the Red Sea, gave sight to the blind, and gave life to the dead can keep us safe on a roller coaster. 

This year's theme of VBS is Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear, Trusting God.  We are learning about Paul and his scary life situations, and how he trusted God through all of the storms.  I signed up before I knew the theme, and I almost backed out because I’m scared of everything, including roller coasters.  I have no business telling kids to trust God when you’re scared when that is my personal struggle.  My little brother said, “Well, maybe you and the 3-year-olds can get over your fear of the dark together!”  Thanks, little bro. 

 

As a Christian, we are told that we will face trials bigger than roller coasters in this world, but we are supposed to consider trials as a joyful blessing (James 1:2-4).  God knows what trials we will face, and He will be there with us through each one.  He doesn’t want us to be scared through the trials.  He wants us to trust in Him and face the trials with courage and faith.  I’m not going to try to tell you the secret for facing your fears because I’m learning it myself, but I’m hoping this week I can learn how to face my fears and trust in God to keep me safe through this roller coaster of a life.

VBS 2013: Colossal Coaster World Decorations

VBS 2013: Colossal Coaster World Decorations

This year, we have the Pre-K class, and we wanted to make a fun environment for everybody.  With an amusement park theme, it was very easy to get creative.

Paul's Travels Sign

Candy Stand and Popcorn Stand:
We painted a refrigerator box then  taped white streamers.
Then we decorated paper plates and wrapped them in plastic wrap then hot glued them to the box.

Balloon and Plastic Table Cloth Ceiling:
This was totally trial and error.  We played with it until we got it right.

• First, we covered the top of the wall with blue paper and the bottom half with green paper.  
• Then, we tackled the ceiling.  We bought plastic table cloths and balloons from the Dollar Tree, and we played with it until we got it exactly how we wanted it.  We tried to make it look like the inside of a big top tent.  
• We drew roller coaster tracks with a permanent marker then attached roller coaster cars made out of construction paper and the little people made with poster paper and decorated with scrapbook paper.  We taped streamers to the bottom of the tracks to add some color and to look like the supports of a roller coaster.  Safety first!
• The children on the bottom were made from poster paper and decorated with scrapbook paper.  We added tickets, drinks, balloons, cotton candy, lollipops  and corn dogs to their hands. 
• The Paul's Travels sign was made with foam with a sticky back.  We simply used painter's tape to make the "pole."  
• We also made various games to attach to the walls for extra fun and decoration.  
• The roller coaster cars are the seats they sit in.  They are cardboard boxes spray painted, and we glued black paper plates for the wheels.  
• Our door was decorated as a ticket booth.  We spray painted yellow paper then taped red streamers to the door.  The sign in construction paper with tickets spelling out the letters.  Then we hung ticket garland around the door.  We bought the tickets from Dollar Tree.  Gotta love that store!
• We cleared out all the chairs and tables to give us more room to work with.  
• The candy stand and popcorn stand are used to cover up furniture and supplies.  
• For story time, we use place mats from the Dollar Tree as their "spots" to sit on.

Tips for Teachers:

• Eat before you come.  There isn't any time to eat when have to keep 3 and 4 year old's occupied.  
• Before the children arrive, get with your other teachers and helpers.  Read the story together and pray together.  This is very crucial.  If you can pray together, you can conquer the world together.  Lastly, don't forget the final preparation: eat a handful of M&M's.  
• Realize that most children at this age will not understand the gospel, but it still just as important for them to learn because you are planting a seed in their hearts.  
• Two words: Smart Skittles.  If they are being good, listening carefully, and sitting still, they get a Smart Skittle!
• Get creative and have fun!  

Blue Fins

Jesus said, “Come ahead.”  Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”  Matthew 14:29-30 The Message

 

Blue fins.  All I had to do was keep my eyes on the blue fins, and everything would be alright.  I was safe.

 

I was snorkeling with my family in Florida for our annual beach vacation.  In my hot pink fins with a matching mask and a yellow snorkel, I was eager to get in the water.  The jetties where we were swimming was the home of beautiful, brightly colored fish and other sea creatures, and we even saw some wormy looking animals that I can only describe as miniature Christmas lights. 

 

When God created the ocean, He created infinite possibilities.  I believe that we will never be able to fully know and understand everything about the ocean and its unfathomable wonder and beauty just like we will never be able to fully know and understand everything about God and his incomprehensible power and love.  As humans, all we can do is to try, study, pray, seek counsel… and Google.  Although, I still have no idea what those Christmas light worms are so Google does not know everything either.  But this is part of the reason why I love the ocean: the endless possibilities, the wonder, the beauty are all fascinating to me.

 

I was on a mission to find some unique seashells, but I knew I had to be extra careful to stay close to the family.  Although I have always had a passion for the beach, I will admit that I am not exactly the strongest swimmer so I stayed close to my dad.  (Yes, I’m a total Daddy’s girl!)  Plus, I always like to stay near someone that I think would beat up a shark for me.  My dad’s fins were bright, royal blue, and I could see them pretty clearly in the water.  I would look for fish and seashells, but I kept his blue fins in sight at all times.  Those blue fins meant safety.  A few times I would fall behind the group, and if I couldn't see the blue fins, I would immediately shoot to the surface and look for my family.

 

Jesus was Peter’s blue fins.  Peter felt bold, brave, and unconquerable when he stepped out of the boat to meet Jesus.  But when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he got scared and began to sink.  When we take our focus off of Jesus, we get scared and begin to worry.  We worry about work, school, family, finances, friends, and everything else in this fast-paced life.  Jesus tells us that He takes care of the birds and the flowers, and we are more valuable to Him so we should not worry because He will always provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34).  

 

When life is getting hectic and blurry, when the waves are churning beneath your feet, when you are wondering how you will even make it through the day, focus on Jesus.  Call out to Jesus for help like Peter, “Master, save me!”  He is the only one that can give you peace, patience, and strength.  Mr. Worry only gives you stress, confusion, and acne.  Yes, it’s easier said than done, but a good starting point is literally looking at Jesus.  Take a minute out of your day and open God’s word.  Look for a verse about God’s love and remember that God will never leave you or forsake you, and He will always take care of you (Deuteronomy 31:6).