The Fist Pump Of Victory

I was talking to a friend at the end of VBS.
Four days of hearing the Gospel.
Four days of listening to God’s Word.
One more day to complete the week.

The children move from Bible lesson, to craft, to our mission ministry, and to their snack.
They have worship at the beginning and end of each day.
Time to sing and praise the Lord Jesus.
I love to watch the joy on their faces.

As I was talking to my friend and her daughter at the end of the day, we were interrupted.
I heard gracious apologies for stopping our conversation.
I stepped away since my friend was a crew leader and the woman was one of the moms.
I just wanted to thank you, I heard as her voice trailed off.

I went into the lobby.
Our conversation could wait until another time.
Over the heads of the children, and through the crowd, I heard my name.
I looked up and my friend was motioning for me to wait.

She approached me with her daughter.
I’m so sorry, we got cut off like that but…she wiped a tear from her eye.
I searched her face and listened to her explain what just happened.
It is the reason we are here, the reason we have VBS, the reason we share the Gospel.

That little girl wanted a Bible she said, her eyes filling with joyful tears.
All my years working at VBS and this is the first time I had that happen.
That precious little girl was so moved by what she heard, she needed to know more.
I got a Bible and gave it to her and she couldn’t wait to show her Mom.

I had just talked to our associate pastor who is teaching the Bible lesson each day.
Something is happening this week. God is moving in these children.
I have sat in the back of the church and prayed for him as he taught the children.
He has a wonderful rapport with them; teaching Bible truths in a way they understand.

The enemy wants to distract and tries his best to do just that.
However, prayer is thwarting the enemy’s plans.
The sweet woman who teaches the Bible lesson to the preschool is an example.
She stopped me and asked for prayer.

Pray that I can teach the lesson in a way that little preschoolers can understand.
The enemy, with his accusations, left her feeling ineffective.
I stood outside her door and listened as she taught her wonderful lesson.
I watched their little eyes large with wonder through the window on the door.

She never knew I was there.
What the enemy meant to destroy, God redeemed.
The children stood up to leave and I stood off to the side, just listening.
Remember to tell others about Jesus, she reminded them as they left.

One sweet little girl fist pumped the air as she left the room.
I tell them all the time!
Her smile was so joyous; she was so little yet already effective for the Kingdom.
Another plan of the enemy stomped under foot.

We are all doing battle this week.
We have our armor on for sure.
Like a good soldier, it is the last thing we put on before coming to church each morning.
Like a good soldier, we come prepared.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

I thought of that verse as I thought of the little girl fist-pumping the air.
If I could freeze-frame an image that would capture this VBS week, that would be it!
Fist-pumping the air, knocking out those spiritual forces of evil with the Truth.
I tell them all the time…and the enemy is K-O’d; down for the count.

I can see the referee in the ring counting, as the enemy lies there incapacitated.
I see each of the children wearing the armor of God, ready for battle.
The enemy is relentless; but he has the same bag of tricks.
Distractions, accusations, weariness, fatigue, and casting doubt.

Did God really say?

Yet, despite the enemy’s best intentions, we come out ready for battle.
We tell others so they will know the One for whom we fight.
We tell others so there will be more soldiers for the Kingdom.
We go into training and prepare for the daily battles we will inevitably face.

That is why my friend had tears of joy.
The little girl wanted a Bible.
The little girl needed her Sword.
The little girl is in basic training for the Kingdom.

Have we, who have been walking with Him for years, lost our zeal?
Have we long forgotten how to fist-pump the air in victory?
Are we able to say, I tell them all the time?
Have we grown battle weary?

Time to get serious!
Time to get back into training!
Time to pick up our Swords!
Time to do battle!

There are souls for which we are fighting.
There is an enemy who is already defeated.
We can rightfully put our boot on his neck.
Our Lord Jesus has won the battle.

Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection secured the victory.
Jesus’ ascended to the right hand of His Father.
Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus is the One for whom we battle.

Go ahead!
Fist-pump the air in victory!
Go tell them all the time!
The enemy has been defeated!

Let’s act like it!