We live in a Bay surrounded by islands and as a teenager, our son explored every square nautical mile around us.  Long before he could afford his own boat he’d take an inflatable dingy out on the water.  One day a storm blew up and the wind was so strong no amount of paddling was getting him any closer to the shore.   So what did he do?  He deflated the dingy and swam to shore.  He knew if he stayed in that inflatable dingy he would drift out to sea.  Swimming to safety was hard work but to be out in the open sea could have been deadly. 

Hebrews 2:1 says, ‘Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.’

The writer of Hebrews was exhorting Christians to do more than just listen to the truth.  He wanted them to ‘earnestly heed’ it.  To pay attention to the truth seriously, sincerely and with intense conviction.  What was the truth?  He tells us in Chapter 1.  Jesus is the superior Saviour, a glorious Son who is the heir of all things.  He made the worlds and is the brightness of the Father’s glory!  He is the exact image of God and upholds all things by the word of His power.  He purged our sins and is now sitting at the right hand of God.  That’s why He is superior to the angels.  Those words are certainly worth paying heed to and yet drifting happens.  I think it happens because drifting is effortless.

Have you ever been to a water park and sat in a giant tube and let the water carry you along?  It’s relaxing because you’re not required to do a thing.  You’re floating in a manmade waterway through a counterfeit Caribbean and the worst that can happen is you tap the tube of a fellow drifter.  The journey requires no effort on your part.  Great for a day out but not real life.  You can’t live your life or run your Kid’s Ministry by drifting.

I’m not a therapist or a theologian but after decades of volunteering and a few years on staff in Kid’s Ministry, I wanted to share what I have experienced and observed.

What Can Cause Drift in Your Ministry to Children?

What can cause a Kid’s Church leader or volunteer to decide to roll over on their back and drift?  Tiredness can be a factor.  Working with children is demanding.  They require supervision, redirection and constant engagement.  A program may only run for one or two hours on a Sunday morning but many volunteers are rostered on (or asked to fill in) every Sunday.  Hours can be spent in preparation and cleaning up.  Time pressure because of the busyness of life has an impact, too.  Most Kid’s Ministry leaders are volunteers.  They’re not on staff at the Church and are required to work and have family commitments as well.  Discouragement can set in due to a lack of funds or volunteers or because Kid’s Ministry is one of those areas that can be overlooked or taken for granted.  These are just a few reasons why leaders and volunteers lose focus, drive and enthusiasm and decide it’s all too hard and much easier to drift.        

Ways to Strike Out to the Shore

Time to get your bearings and move in a determined way to the safety of the shore.  Here’s how:

• Pray

Don’t struggle alone but call out to Jesus and ask for His help. 

Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honour Me.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   

• Wait on the Lord

Entwine yourself around the Lord, and rely on Him for everything.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.  They shall run and not be weary.  They shall walk and not faint.

I’ve written a lesson titled ‘Wait on the Lord’ and it’s not just for kids!

You’ll find it here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Wait-on-the-Lord.pdf

• Read your Bible (Heed Hebrews Chapter 1!)

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, and all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

• Engage with other Kid’s Ministry Volunteers (Conferences or Expos)

You have a lot in common and no one will understand your situation more than they do. It does you good to be with people who ‘get it’ and laughter is very therapeutic.

Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good like medicine.

You’re not alone.  We’ve all experienced times of drifting.  At first, it can feel so good to go with the flow, but it’s not safe to continue.  Be encouraged and start swimming.  With God’s help, you will make it safely to the shore!