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As I travel to different churches to preach or attend meetings, one of the things I enjoy hearing is the history of each church, how it was started, how it was built, and the sacrifice it took to make it happen. It reminds me of growing up in the Exira, Iowa Seventh-day Adventist Church on top of a hill on a country road. The memories in that church are many.
My grandparents either passed away before I was born or when I was very young. However, there was a couple in the Exira church that filled that role in my life, spending holidays and birthdays with our family. I remember the head elder asking me to go on the platform with him when I was about 8 years old and announce the opening hymn. My knees were knocking in nervousness that morning as I asked the congregation to open to a certain page in their hymnal. Unknowingly to me, he was hatching a plan to have me be more involved in the church. Looking back, many of those individuals, although far from perfect, loved and cared for me, and my presence in the church was important to them. Although most have passed away, currently resting in Jesus, their lives still impact me today. They sacrificed much time and money to build, maintain, and keep a country church-going while being a step in God's plan to develop my own sense of spirituality.
As I think about these times in my life, I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1, 2: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith…."
This morning in our office worship, we were challenged through Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy to have an attitude of praise to God. We were asked to think through our life and how God has led us at various stages of life. I can look back and see how God has put various people in my life just when I needed it to propel me forward in my spiritual journey. As I think about many of my mentors, whether still alive or passed, their lives cheer me on. Their encouragement, kind words, and their example propel me forward. Growing in Jesus is definitely a marathon with its ups and downs which will culminate at His Second Coming.
Singer and songwriter Michael W. Smith wrote a song many years ago with a major punchline, "Love isn't love until it's given away." I don't know if that head elder many years ago knew I would one day be a pastor, but he invested in me, and that investment by God's power and grace still impacts my life today.
As you read this, I want to challenge you: what influence and impact are you having in the lives of others? For the church to fulfill God's mission, Jesus needs more than evangelists, teachers, and pastors. He needs every member of the church to step into the lives of others at just the right moments as He leads to move people through their spiritual journeys. Our part may seem small, but it could have a lasting effect that will change their life at some point in the future. My appeal to every member of the Iowa-Missouri Conference is that we pray for God to keep our eyes open. That we wouldn't miss opportunities, we wouldn't miss the voice of God moving us to be a positive voice through words or action to guide people on the various stages of spiritual life. Does Jesus need the professional evangelist? Certainly, but more than that, He needs His people acting as His hands and feet in everyday life.
God Bless,
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