1 Corinthians 12:21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you”; or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary; 23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can, 24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it, 25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others.(Complete Jewish Bible)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Today I will thank the faithful and follow their example.
PRAYER FOCUS:
Those who go unacknowledged
READ MORE:
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Today I will thank the faithful and follow their example.
PRAYER FOCUS:
Those who go unacknowledged
READ MORE:
MAY 2, 2018 BY LONNIE WEST (MINNESOTA)
Lonnie with her husband, Ray
"Still Seeing the Faithful" bY LONNIE WEST (MINNESOTA)
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV).
God continues to turn my attention toward the seemingly invisible or unnoticed; toward those who faithfully plant and water, whether or not they are acknowledged. This week, God reminded me of this by way of the sweetest letter. What camp counselor would expect a handwritten letter forty years after campers hugged her good-bye?
One of my campers from all those years ago, Diane, wrote to share about her son’s public confession of faith. At age twelve, her son, Robby Mac, is the same age Diane was when she and her sisters sat on their cabin beds and asked Jesus into their hearts. I was excited then but, these decades later, I realize the gift and privilege was even bigger than I imagined.
“We believed in Jesus and trusted Him,” Diane wrote, “because our Mama told us often of Jesus.” A faithful mama, a faithful pastor, and more than likely, Sunday school teachers and other camp counselors had also told them about the gospel. Thinking about how many people must have helped those girls learn about the gospel, I cannot help but think of Jesus’ words in John 4: “I sent you to reap what you had not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:38 NIV).
One of my campers from all those years ago, Diane, wrote to share about her son’s public confession of faith. At age twelve, her son, Robby Mac, is the same age Diane was when she and her sisters sat on their cabin beds and asked Jesus into their hearts. I was excited then but, these decades later, I realize the gift and privilege was even bigger than I imagined.
“We believed in Jesus and trusted Him,” Diane wrote, “because our Mama told us often of Jesus.” A faithful mama, a faithful pastor, and more than likely, Sunday school teachers and other camp counselors had also told them about the gospel. Thinking about how many people must have helped those girls learn about the gospel, I cannot help but think of Jesus’ words in John 4: “I sent you to reap what you had not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:38 NIV).
Diane credits me with solidifying her faith and that of her sisters; and for bringing joy to their hearts. I am both honored and humbled by this. I was such a young Christian when I traveled from Iowa to North Carolina to work and witness for Jesus at that camp. I believe the connection with Diane and her sisters over the years, though not always frequent, has solidified my own faith and encouraged me at times when I needed it most. And joy? Mine cannot be measured.
***
The parts that we think are less honorable
we treat with special honor. (1 Corinthians 12:23 (NIV))
As we were walking along a nature path, my husband, Ray, and I heard a beautiful birdsong and pulled out our binoculars. “What kind of bird could that be?” we asked. We imagined a colorful, nearly exotic bird.
“Oh, it’s only a robin,” I said with disappointment. Robins, however, bring hope when they appear near winter’s end. They remind us that spring, with its warmer weather and new life, is just around the corner. Not only are robins first to arrive, but they also seem to be last to leave when cold weather sets in. Yet, instead of seeing them as faithful and dependable, I had come to see them as common, ordinary, nothing special.
How often are we guilty of seeing people in church in this way? I wondered. Do we take some people for granted when really we ought to appreciate and thank them for their faithfulness? We see them Sunday after Sunday and midweek service after midweek service. We see them jump up to help clean after a potluck. We see them fully engaged in worshiping God. We see them hand someone a tissue, give someone a hug, or greet someone standing off by themselves. These faithful people are essential to our communities. With God’s help we can acknowledge and show gratitude for their presence and example.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
“Oh, it’s only a robin,” I said with disappointment. Robins, however, bring hope when they appear near winter’s end. They remind us that spring, with its warmer weather and new life, is just around the corner. Not only are robins first to arrive, but they also seem to be last to leave when cold weather sets in. Yet, instead of seeing them as faithful and dependable, I had come to see them as common, ordinary, nothing special.
How often are we guilty of seeing people in church in this way? I wondered. Do we take some people for granted when really we ought to appreciate and thank them for their faithfulness? We see them Sunday after Sunday and midweek service after midweek service. We see them jump up to help clean after a potluck. We see them fully engaged in worshiping God. We see them hand someone a tissue, give someone a hug, or greet someone standing off by themselves. These faithful people are essential to our communities. With God’s help we can acknowledge and show gratitude for their presence and example.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear God, forgive us for not recognizing and appreciating the incredible people you have placed in our midst. Help us to show our gratitude. Amen.
***
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