Q-tips, straws and a lesson on getting back on track with God

Who knew a box of Q-tips and a pack of straws could be so much fun?

The Port Ann Wesleyan youth group recently battled it out with blow dart guns involving Q-tips shot out of regular straws — which amazingly works better than you’d imagine. Those Q-tips flew well, even at longer distance.

Of course, Q-tips aren’t the most aerodynamic projectile created. A gust of wind can easily set them off course — which made the Q-tip war all the more fun.

It also helps set up an interesting object lesson. First, here is a video of a different youth group enjoying a Q-tip War. The video I took didn’t pan out, but at least you can get the jist of what it was like:

Previously, the Port Ann Wesleyan Youth Group had a lesson on potatoes — discussing how an ugly, dirty little potato can be used for so many interesting things, from fries and chips to potato guns and shoe shining. You can check out the full lesson here.

As part of the potato lesson, we discussed the Bible verse found at  Jeremiah 1:5 (“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”) and Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”)

The Q-tip War gave our youth an object lesson on the concept of having a target, but the projectile veering off course. There is a definite plan — a target — for each shot taken, but so many variables can interfere with the Q-tip reaching the desired destination. In the same way, there are countless variables can interfere with the plans God has for each of us. Personal tragedies, depression, addictions, seemingly innocent distractions that take our eyes off the bigger spiritual picture.

As God shares via John in Revelation 2:4-5 — “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Our Youth Group discussed some of the distractions and road blocks that have affected us over the years and how we can reconnect with God — via a recommitment to reading the Bible regularly and opening the connection with Him via prayer and quiet time alone with God.

We also listened to the song “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North, which deals with people who’ve gotten off track in life and how God has something more in mind for each of us.