The month of September has arrived and with it a time for us to seriously consider what lies before us as a new Church Year approaches! Our Lay Leadership Committee has continuously met during the past several months contemplating roles in ministry where individuals could best share their talents and abilities in furthering the outreach Laurel Hill could have within our community. Much thought and countless prayers have been lifted up that God would place those whom He desires in those areas which would bring Him honor and glory!
Maybe now would be a good time to stop and consider what we are doing or not doing. Are our goals being met? And, if they are not, why not? What kind of impact are we having within our community, or are we having any impact at all? What kind of impact are we having within the walls of our church, or are we having any impact at all? Have hearts been changed? Or are we just passively standing by and waiting -- waiting -- waiting -- for what?? Are we being challenged to be "ALL THAT WE CAN BE?" Maybe we should ask ourselves would the community be any different if we were not here?
I'm sure that there are those who, after reading the above, have already decided which person or persons to which the above applies. I wonder if we have ever considered they just might need to be applied to each and every one of us -- both individually and as a CHURCH BODY!
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals some of His thoughts that possibly could be the answers we need. He said we are like salt, present, yet invisible; unseen by the naked eye, but very noticeable to taste. He also describes our influence as "light in the darkness."
Quite often we hear someone say, or maybe we feel within ourselves, "what difference does it make?" The answer is GOD IN CHRIST MADE A DIFFERENCE and GOD IN US and THROUGH US CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! However, we need to be committed and dedicated to MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
Our saltiness is felt when we care for the sick, the poor, the imprisoned, the aged. It is felt when we humble ourselves in God's sight and do not look at ourselves as being "just a little above everyone else." When we stop telling ourselves or worse still "believing" that others just do not quite measure up to us, (i.e., that they do not live in nice houses, or wear nice clothes, or are not as well-educated as we are, or are "just too down to earth" to suit us), then, and only then, will we catch sight of what God has called us to do for His Kingdom.
Our light shines forth when we reach out and share the Good News about Jesus. It can be seen by others as we visit those who need to make a personal commitment of faith in Christ. The difference we make is not measured by pious announcements "patting ourselves on the back" on what has been accomplished. However, it is measured by living a life of faith committed unto the Lord, by being willing to submit ourselves unto God's will for our lives, being willing to "go where He sends us and do what He tells us." It is measured by being committed to our church and accepting leadership roles and "doing what is required" in those roles allowing God to use our talents and abilities to further His Kingdom.
You need to know that this is how David and I entered into full-time ministry over 30 years ago. There have been times in the past and will be in the future where we have fallen short and have not accomplished "all" that could have been accomplished for our God. However, we are assured that our God is a God of another chance and another and another!! And, He continually allows us to "pick ourselves up" and "get on with the program". We are not perfect! AND We know that God is not finished with us YET! PRAISE THE LORD!
We know that there are times when the "stand" we take, the "things" we do or don't do, are misunderstood and misinterpreted, but you need to know that David and I never take a "stand" without much thought and much time spent in prayer. Our prayer has always been -- "not for our good, Lord, but for Your Good and for the Good of Your People whom You have called us to serve." We do constantly strive to become better servants and answer the call God has placed upon our hearts and lives.
It is our prayer that in the months and years which lie before us, that we will all decide to commit our lives more fully unto the Lord. We need to strive to transform our lives into those people who are "about God's business" and "not our own." If we do this, then God working in and through each one of us will allow us to experience a change in our look out and we will see God's Hand reaching out and His love and grace being bestowed upon all with whom we come in contact!
Just think, when the challenge is 'God-size'...the solution will be too!
Let's trust Him for GREAT THINGS!
