Why I Can't Have a Desk Job

Wow, what a week it has been at Saint Andrew! This past week was Vacation Bible School here. During the week I think I sat at my desk for a combined total of 10 minutes, but that's the way I like it. Something I have discovered about myself in the last couple of years is that I love being with people. I take great joy in sharing my life with others, and I think this is part of the reason that ministry is something that interests me so much.

The week before Vacation Bible School started, I was not sure how I felt about it. Our theme was "Circus Spectacular" and I spent much of my time preparing the building for the coming week. I painted signs, assisted in the assembly of a huge circus tent in the sanctuary, and hung crepe paper streamers all over the church. By Friday afternoon I was convinced that if I ever saw another red and white crepe paper streamer in my life, it would be too soon. I was not really looking forward to a week of the Circus with a capital 'C'.

But then the children came, and I saw their wide eyes as they entered the "big top" and how a simple helium balloon could make them smile. I watched the preschoolers dance around to the music, totally uninhibited. I watched as all the children at VBS took in the scene around them and interacted with the ringmaster, the tightrope walker, and the clown as they told stories of Jesus. I saw the joy on their faces, and somewhere along the way, I caught the joy too.

In the following days I woke up every morning so excited to see the children and adults I was working with at "Circus Spectacular". It was great to be in a church full of people all day long. During the week of VBS I got the chance to sing songs with children, blow bubbles, console a crying child, reenact bible stories, and prepare snacks with volunteers. Through all of these things I got to spend time with the people of this church, and frankly I can't think of anything more fun.

Though I secretly groaned about putting the decorations up, when the circus tent is put away and the streamers are taken down, I am going to miss it all. It's going to be awfully lonely around here without them and the people they brought. As busy as the week was, I loved being with all the people. For one week we formed our own community here every single day, caring for and sharing with one another. My life is enriched by communities such as these, and the times I feel closest to God are when I am away from my desk, with people. There are some things I am uncertain about, but I am pretty sure that God is calling me to a life away from my desk, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Michelle Harvick is in her fourth year as a HELM Leadership Fellow and is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arlington, Texas. She is spending the summer as an intern at St. Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Olathe, Kansas.