the sandbox

I love the movie Aladdin. It's been a long time since I have watched it, but the message is timeless. The beginning of the movie starts with a monologging peddler who first shows us the lamp...

I can see that you're only interested in the exceptionally rare. I think then, you would be most rewarded to consider...this. (PEDDLER pulls the MAGIC LAMP out from his sleeve.) Do not be fooled by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.

The world is full of people who spend more time working on their outside appearance and forget to focus on what's inside. Better yet, who is inside.
This isn't new, I Samuel 16:7 in the Old Testament says;

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Preschoolers are really good at this. The haven't yet received their worldly training on what is "in" and what isn't. They are quick to accept anyone into their sandbox to play, they just tell them what they are playing and what the rules are. Sounds a lot like orientation to children's ministry to me!

Welcome to Children's Ministry!! You are Jesus with skin. Here is our philosophy and strategy.

Even in the sandbox, preschoolers are willing to tell their friends they can't play if they are going to throw sand or not follow the rules, they can go play on the swings instead. I think that's a great reminder that not everyone is wired to play in the "children's ministry sandbox" if you will, and that's okay, we just need to direct them to another area of service in the church. It's all good, really, it is!!