Are We Ready?

There were a lot of men on the Bluff last Friday night. As I made my way around shaking hands, meeting new folks, and catching up, I met many men who had unexpectedly moved to the Lowcountry in the midst of the pandemic. No longer tethered to a desk and able to work virtually, many picked up their families and moved where the weather is nicer, it’s more affordable to live, and people smile more often.

I’m sure you’ve noticed it, but we’re experiencing an unanticipated wave of migration to the Lowcountry. I see this everyday in my office, as the steady stream of folks new to the church makes its way to chat with Padre and learn what life and ministry at The Church of the Cross is like. I see it every Sunday as I’m shaking hands at our different campuses, hearing from folks of their unexpected arrival in Bluffton. It makes me wonder if we’re ready. As a church. As individual followers of Jesus. Are we ready for the opportunity to lead people to Jesus? Are we ready for how the Lord is and will be moving by his Spirit?

That question has been rolling around in my mind since Friday night. I was chatting about that with some of the other ministers at The Church of the Cross, as we considered how we might most effectively reach the people who are moving into our area in droves. As we talked, I was reminded of a story I recently heard about a faithful saint. We’ll call him Bob.

Bob’s church was well established. It had liturgy, excellent music and preaching, the faithful administration of the Sacraments. Bob’s church was comfortable. The pastor had a vision to reach the college students on campus nearby. As they prayed and planned, Bob and the rest of the 8:00am service stepped up to serve. It was certainly going to be inconvenient. They had to rearrange their schedules. And man was it exhausting. The 8 o’clockers worshipped, as they had for decades in the Sanctuary, then spent their Sunday evening setting up a movie theater and welcoming college students in. Bob told the pastor he hated the music, and he hated how the pastor dressed during the service. Even though he hated those things, he loved those college students and was so thankful the Lord was working in their midst.

One day the pastor got a call from Bob’s wife. He had been rushed to the ER. The pastor made his way into the room as the doctors tried all they could to save Bob. It wasn’t working so Bob’s wife and the pastor went outside the room to talk about what was happening. They prayed, cried, hugged, and as they made their way back to the room to say goodbye to Bob, a chaotic scene unfolded before their eyes. A group of twenty-some college students had forced their way into Bob’s room. Word had gotten out on campus that Bob was dying. As Bob entered into the joy of His Master, the chorus of angels and college students sang his favorite hymn, “Jesus Paid It All.”

Bob hated the music. He hated how they dressed. It wasn’t at all how he envisioned church, but Bob loved those lost college students and loved the Savior of the lost college students. He understood there is no retirement in the Kingdom of God, and every moment we have is a gift from the Lord to be stewarded for His glory.

Fellow saints, how are you stewarding the moments the Lord is giving you? How are you preparing to reach our community with the Good News of the person and work of Jesus? How are you helping The Church of the Cross be a place that exists for those who aren’t here yet? Please, look at the opportunities to serve below and find your place to serve. Serve and know your efforts are not in vain or wasted. Serve and know, like Bob, you will hear the voice of your master, “Well done good and faithful servant.”