Bill’s Bestowals:
“Saying ‘Yes’ to Jesus”
“… but a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;
and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
(Luke 10:33)
Every now and then life offers glaring reminders that I need to reconsider my priorities. Example: Throughout the Lenten season I was far busier than usual. I won’t go into detail, suffice to say that I was being pulled in every direction by obligations to family, church, community, and a personal goal (or five) on top of that. My pace was furious. Even so, I kept noticing the “Blessing Box” in front of the courthouse[1]. Every time I hurriedly passed the box, I noticed that it had nothing more than a few bags of dried lentil beans. I kept thinking, “Why isn’t someone filling it?”
At the beginning of holy week I passed by again and noticed that even the lentil beans were gone. I was in a rush as I passed by, as always, and I remember thinking “Why doesn’t anyone care?! A town of greater than five thousand potential donors, yet the shelves are bare! God knows I’m too busy right now, but surely He is speaking into the heart of somebody with time and resources and they just aren’t listening!”
The week passed. I noticed the box again on my way down the mountain following the sunrise service on Easter. Not one item in the box. No Easter blessings for the needy … but I was in a hurry to get to the church to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus and to share why that is such Good News for the world.
I’ll let you in on a little secret now: every pastor loves Easter … but we’re also really glad when Easter is over. I was absolutely worn out.
I decided to take Monday off to recoup a little. I remember thinking, “I’m not going to let myself get stressed about anything today!” That was before I got out of bed, of course. Just a few minutes later I had already broken my pledge as I learned that Caleb had a fever and had to stay home and Charis couldn’t decide what to wear so she missed the bus. Sigh.
I had some stuff I had to take over to the church anyway, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone by dropping them off while transporting Charis. At the church I remembered that the blessing box was empty, so I thought this might be a teachable moment. I grabbed some canned goods we keep at the church for hungry people who may come asking. The food filled one shelf of the Blessing Box; soups, cans of vegetables, peanut butter crackers, and energy bars. I also added a shelf-full of toiletries (I hold onto some of the food pantry items you contribute for the Blessing Box; that way we support two ministries rather than just one).
As we were deciding what toiletry items to add to the box, Charis said, “Dad, there’s a man here.” Sure enough, a man on a bike had just pulled up beside us, and he literally had tears in his eyes as he told me how grateful he was that somebody was adding to the Blessing Box. He told me that he had a job, but he just didn’t make enough to feed his family well. “I want you to know how much it means to me and my family that you guys put something in there. We don’t have anything at home and I’ve been hoping and praying somebody would add something to the box,” he said.
I’m delighted to say that Charis and I got to talk about what it meant to be “an answer to prayer” on the way to school, and she was pretty enthusiastic about the role! I am too!
The man had been “hoping and praying someone would add something ….” I had to wonder how many promptings of the Holy Spirit I ignored during Lent in my busyness.
I know I’m not responsible for making a cornucopia out of the Blessing Box, but the Spirit was certainly telling me to do my part. “Don’t turn a blind eye. Take pity on the needy … consider the lesson of the Good Samarian! Remember that I have “blessed you to be a blessing!” (Genesis 12:2-3)
We have to remember that when we say “yes” to Jesus, our affirmation of Him was never intended to be a form of “fire insurance” (if you get my meaning). Rather, when we say “yes” to Jesus …
† … we are saying “yes” to the leadings of His indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides us from within. So often that which we call the “conscience” is actually the voice of the Spirit. (“… but the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26)
† … we are saying “yes” to His purpose in the world and for our lives. (“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Eph. 2:10)
† … we are saying “yes” to being part of the life of His Kingdom, and we take our place as citizens, advocates and ambassadors within it. (“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor; (you will receive) a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted …” – Luke 12:23-33)
† … we are saying “yes” to being servants of our Servant King. (“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who … made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant …” – Philippians 2:5,7)
I could go on. Suffice to say, if we have said “yes” to Jesus, we need to be listening and following.
By the way, I offered the above story to our Session and Mission Committee. The session affirmed that we as a church should be contributing to the Blessing Box regularly. The Mission Committee searched their budget and agreed that we could offer $20 worth of goods per week (a total of $680 for the rest of the year) to supply the Blessing Box. A big chunk of money from their budget … but it still won’t go very far.
I can’t help but wonder: is it possible that the Spirit is leading you to add something to the Blessing Box regularly? Hmmmmmm ….
Shalom! Pastor Bill
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
May 2023 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
May 2: Christian Education Meeting 10:30 a.m.
May 2: Worship Committee Meeting 3:30 p.m.
May 2: Mission Committee Meeting 5 p.m.
May 4: Fellowship Committee Meeting 8:30 a.m.
May 6: PW Meeting 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
May 6: Violin Recital 4 p.m.
May 7: Youth Fundraiser Lunch: “Foods of the Bible” follows worship
May 9: Building & Grounds Meeting 10 a.m.
May 9: Membership & Evangelism 6 p.m.
May 14: Mother’s Day Meal following Worship in the Fellowship Hall
May 15: Stewardship & Finance Meeting 1 p.m.
May 17: Session Meeting 5:30 p.m.
May 21: Fellowship Potluck Meal following Worship
May 28: Pentecost; you are invited to wear red.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
7 – Tatelynn Pullen 18 – JoAnn Coogan
9 – Lois Morrow 23 – William Edwards
11 – Effie Dantiacq 25 – Annet Forsyth
15 – Jim & Linda Murphy 31 – Joyce Phelps
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Wes Stiefer & Judy Thompson
Communion Preparers: Delta Reed
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Annette Hays, Wes Stiefer
Gini Burt & Judy Thompson
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
May 7: Personal Care Collection
May 28: Goodland Academy
[1] For those who don’t know of it, the Blessing Box is a glass-fronted cabinet purposed to provide food for the needy. Anyone willing may contribute packaged or canned goods; less-fortunate people may take what they need with no questions asked.
