Reflections on Serving
Great job Church!
I was encouraged by what I saw and experienced last Sunday as we participated in “5th Sunday” ministry to Downtown/Riverwalk residents and grounds. Were you?
What did you see and experience? What did you learn?
I saw our “sermon” in action.
Instead of just hearing about Jesus’ miracle of provision of changing water into wine, we partnered with the Lord in providing brand new coats, masks, bibles and a few other items to people in need.
Instead of just hearing about Jesus cleansing the temple we partnered with the Lord in cleaning our city walkways, riverbed and even some of the tent village by the river. We prayed as we served, some stayed back and prayed in the sanctuary and others prayed at home.
I loved seeing our people immediately going into action...talking with people, spreading out together and listening for and following God’s prompting in a variety of situations. There’s a readiness to serve in our church and it was plain to see.
I was surprised by the gratitude expressed by both the people cared for through provision as well as those who noticed our efforts at beautification.
Cars stopped in the street, bikers stopped in the middle of their ride and walkers paused and looked us in the eye to express a heartfelt "thank you”.
I also know a number of you prayed for this time before, during and afterwards. I had a real sense of God going before us and preparing both people and situations. The time we were down there together was different than the other times I went by myself, scouting the scene. We seemed welcomed to serve and share. Thank the Lord.
James 1:22 calls us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. James 1:25 claims we will be blessed in the doing. I certainly was blessed in the doing, how about you?
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
