This coming Sunday evening, our church embarks on what is the largest and most important outreach activity that we do every year. It is called vacation Bible school.

During VBS, which is from 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, we will see more boys and girls in our church than at any other time of the year. We will teach the Bible, talk about missions, play, eat, sing and worship.

I am excited about the week to come. But I have to make a confession to you. By Thursday afternoon, I will be exhausted, and I will almost certainly be just as excited about the end of the week to come.

With close to 200 children running around our building, and my bones and joints older than they have ever been, it takes all I have just to keep up. Still, it is worth the effort.

By Friday morning, I will take the time to look back on the week we have had. I am sure that I will follow up with some parents about things that have happened with their children.

I am also sure that I will discuss with our leaders the things we have done well, as well as things we might work on to improve. But as much as anything, I imagine I will look back with satisfaction about the completed job.

There is something special about starting and finishing a task, and that is especially true when it is something that God has called you to do.

We sometimes forget that work was God’s idea from the beginning. Adam and Eve had work to do before the first sin. The only change was that work became much more difficult following the fall. It takes more out of us. It can even become drudgery.

That was not God’s plan from the beginning. Work brings satisfaction. It makes us glad to be alive. It gives us meaning and purpose. God created you to work, and I believe that there will be work of some kind for all of us when we get to heaven.

I hope that you have something that you do that brings purpose and meaning to your life. And I hope that the work you do is making a contribution to others, and is pleasing to the Lord.

Paul wrote, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not for men."

Ultimately all that I do is for him. May it bring him the honor and glory only he is due!