May the mumbling commence!
Do you want to make an impact on other people’s lives for Christ? Paul gives us a very simple recipe to do just that. Read a brief passage from First Thessalonians chapter two:
But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (Verses 7-8)
Add to your relationships with others gentleness and caring and love. Delight in these relationships. And share two important things with your friends. Share the gospel of God. And share yourself.
Seeds of the kingdom of God are planted by the Word of the gospel from our mouths. Seeds of the kingdom of God are planted when we live lives according to the gospel before everyone. And God will grow and multiply our efforts.
Did you notice that: our efforts? Did you notice that the pronouns that Paul used are plural – we and us. We must work in collaboration with each other and with the Holy Spirit. Collaboration is the water that helps to make a garden of faith to grow…
My family has just returned today from a conference. We had been gone since last Thursday. We have a garden – a garden that would not have survived in the dry and arid weather that we have been having. It needed watering. We couldn’t do it.
A good Christian brother and sister came while we were gone to take care of our garden (and bring in our mail and newspaper). Their work is evident. We will soon enjoy some homegrown tomatoes in our dinner.
Each of us needs to realize when we cannot do something. Denial will do us no good. Instead, we must collaborate with one another so the work of the kingdom gets done.
Beware! As we walk with God in this way, we will become closer and closer together. And we will draw others in. The community of people that are dear to us will grow exponentially.
I think of the litany that my wife speaks to our nearly four-year-old son at bedtime. She speaks of all the people that love him. She names people from the congregation, where we both serve and are served. The list is long. God is good.
I can think of no good reason to deny myself these pleasures of a church family. Indeed, why would anyone reject such love?
If you feel isolated, I invite you in. The road may be long for you, but the road will be well worth it. The Spirit of Christ is our guarantee.
As the Church of the Brethren tagline states, “Continuing the Work of Christ: Simply, Peacefully, Together”.
Yes, we will need to hold hands. (For all you Tim Hawkins fans out there… “Squeeze!”)
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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