Faith Words: What does it mean?
Some friends of mine and I are fixing dinner Monday night for the kids in the Apartment Ministry at the Renaissance Apartments. It's just one meal, our turn coming about once every three months - not a big deal for us.
But what does it mean to them?
Once a week, every Monday night, a group of dedicated individuals from Golf Course Road spends the evening with these kids, eating supper and opening God's word. These folks find time each week. No, that's not right. These folks make time each week to teach these children who God is and how much He loves them. They make sure there's a meal each week and they make sure the time they spend with them is fun. Most importantly, they make sure each child feels loved.
This is a noble calling, to be sure. These children are some of the poorest around here and the complex they live in is not very attractive or safe. I don't know their situations. I don't know if they have enough food in their own apartment for the next meal. I don't know where they get their clothes or who tucks them in at night. But I do know that a few Christians care about them enough to be there at least once a week. And that is a big deal to them.
We talk a lot about being the hands and feet of Christ, but when was the last time each of us sought out an opportunity to do something? You may not be called to help out at the Apartment Ministry (although they could certainly use the help). You have another calling entirely. Do you have a job? Are you married? Do you ever go to the store to shop? Do you drive a car? Do you have a family? Neighbors?
Each of us has more than enough opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. In your job, you can be uncommonly ethical and honest. In your marriage, you can love your spouse with your whole heart. When you shop, you can empathize with the clerk whose had a long day of serving impatient and rude customers. on the streets in your car, you can be courteous to others drivers, perhaps even allowing someone else to go first at a stop sign or get that good parking place. With your family, you can be kinder and more patient, realizing that they may have had a hard day outside the safe haven that home is supposed to be. To your neighbors, you can offer a smile and a helping hand from time to time, but first, you'll have to introduce yourself to them. Yes, you can choose to be a better employee, spouse, customer, driver, parent, neighbor because you can choose to love others the way Christ loves you.
The workers in the Apartment Ministry didn't just decide one day to spend every Monday night in the slums. No, they decided one day to follow Christ. And it's been the best decision they've ever made.
What's your decision? Are you ready to get your hands and feet dirty for Christ? When you are, give it everything you've got. You won't be sorry.
Patrice
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
But what does it mean to them?
Once a week, every Monday night, a group of dedicated individuals from Golf Course Road spends the evening with these kids, eating supper and opening God's word. These folks find time each week. No, that's not right. These folks make time each week to teach these children who God is and how much He loves them. They make sure there's a meal each week and they make sure the time they spend with them is fun. Most importantly, they make sure each child feels loved.
This is a noble calling, to be sure. These children are some of the poorest around here and the complex they live in is not very attractive or safe. I don't know their situations. I don't know if they have enough food in their own apartment for the next meal. I don't know where they get their clothes or who tucks them in at night. But I do know that a few Christians care about them enough to be there at least once a week. And that is a big deal to them.
We talk a lot about being the hands and feet of Christ, but when was the last time each of us sought out an opportunity to do something? You may not be called to help out at the Apartment Ministry (although they could certainly use the help). You have another calling entirely. Do you have a job? Are you married? Do you ever go to the store to shop? Do you drive a car? Do you have a family? Neighbors?
Each of us has more than enough opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. In your job, you can be uncommonly ethical and honest. In your marriage, you can love your spouse with your whole heart. When you shop, you can empathize with the clerk whose had a long day of serving impatient and rude customers. on the streets in your car, you can be courteous to others drivers, perhaps even allowing someone else to go first at a stop sign or get that good parking place. With your family, you can be kinder and more patient, realizing that they may have had a hard day outside the safe haven that home is supposed to be. To your neighbors, you can offer a smile and a helping hand from time to time, but first, you'll have to introduce yourself to them. Yes, you can choose to be a better employee, spouse, customer, driver, parent, neighbor because you can choose to love others the way Christ loves you.
The workers in the Apartment Ministry didn't just decide one day to spend every Monday night in the slums. No, they decided one day to follow Christ. And it's been the best decision they've ever made.
What's your decision? Are you ready to get your hands and feet dirty for Christ? When you are, give it everything you've got. You won't be sorry.
Patrice
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.