Here’s a riddle for you: An introvert walks into VBS. What happens next?
If you’re a deep thinker like me, you know the answer. Walking into a rocking sanctuary with 200 people is like stepping on to Super Loud Planet Extrovert. We shut down a little bit. Everyone is yelling. Us introverts would rather think about Jesus than scream about Him.
So, we can’t help it. We start overanalyzing everything. And this leads to questions: Does anyone else notice the song lyrics don’t make much sense? Really–with the crowds and all this forced participation? Are these song motions supposed to be sign language or interpretive dance?
It’s not just these questions. we deep thinkers also start to overthink the leaders who scream (!), “BE QUIET! EVERYONE STOP BEING SO LOUD!” (Then, a few minutes later, “Come on, everyone! Are you asleep? I can’t hear you!”)
We intellectualize the whole VBS experience. We debate with ourselves about whether or not VBS is really worth ALL THIS EFFORT. Summer is slow season for youth ministry. People are out of town. Is it a good idea to have a super high energy week, requiring all the volunteers…right in middle of the summer? Couldn’t we do this another time?
For some of us special over anxious introverts, we start to worry about everyone’s happiness. Look at that cynical Fifth Grader, wearing an Apple Watch. That kid has been playing Plants Vs. Zombies all summer–is he really going to laugh at pig puppets? Will he roll his eyes over songs like, “I Just Want To Be A Sheep?” And will these volunteers be able to keep up this level of energy ALL WEEK?
But guess what? The kid with the Apple Watch seems to be loving it. He’s singing and doing the ridiculous motions and not overthinking the decorations and whether or not the fake chickens are supposed to be eating hay. That kid seems to be having fun.
Wait a minute. Maybe this is what silliness looks like. Maybe all this enthusiasm is exactly what Fifth Graders with Apple Watches need. Maybe you can’t overthink VBS.
And maybe the joke is on us analytical thinkers. Maybe the answer to the riddle is that the introvert smiles and laughs at the skits too. Even when they make no actual sense.
Maybe–in a twist of irony–the overthinker draws the conclusion that VBS is best when it’s full of crowds and energy and absolutely ridiculous.
Maybe that is what happens when an introvert walks into VBS.
