Poised on the Cusp of a New Church Year

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV)

August brings to mind times of excitement, reflection, expectation, and nostalgia. It seems that just yesterday we were meeting new preschoolers and welcoming them to our classrooms. Now we are ready to greet fresh faces while we release familiar loved young ones to an older group, either Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors, or Children in Action. We poise on the cusp of new beginnings.

What do you remember about the last year of Mission Friends? What fills your heart with joy and thankfulness? Does it seem that your hard work has paid off with the growth of the precious preschoolers you hold dear before the Lord?

Think back. Remember the learning activities you provided for your Mission Friends. Consider the many prayers you modeled and offered on behalf of missionaries, their families, and the people they serve. Count the opportunities with which you have been blessed to speak the Word into the lives of young boys and girls, and the many Bible thoughts that have been shared. Recall the stories, questions, games, songs, art creations, and Helping Others projects your preschoolers have participated in. Has it been easy, without effort? Most likely not. Hard work is involved as we serve the Lord, no matter what job we do.

But hard work is not a bad thing. As 1 Corinthians instructs us, we must stand firm and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You may also remember the hard times, challenges, sickness, messes, or conflict. Yet you persisted, returning week after week, meeting online, mailing activities, making phone calls—doing whatever it took to lead your Mission Friends and engage them with missions (even in the middle of a pandemic). Every little thing, each minute of effort, all of your successes and disasters—they belong to the Lord. All labor we do for the Lord is His to redeem. Your efforts are not in vain. It is for His glory we do what we do. We must continue to be relentless in living our authentic faith in Christ Jesus as we love and teach our Mission Friends.

Friends, gird yourselves with love, bind the Word about your heart, and soak your soul in Him. A new beginning is just around the corner. Finish well. And prepare for the plunge into a new church year!

Pray:

Lord Jesus, We give You praise and thanksgiving for all You have done for us. Help us, Lord, to be relentless in our pursuit of You, in our service to You, and in our love for the precious preschoolers in our care. For Your glory. Amen.

by Angie Quantrell, Preschool Resources Editor