While watching the PBS Memorial Day Special which aired the night before Memorial Day, I heard the remark that over the course of the years the United States has been engaged in a war effort, over 1 million have died while serving. This televised program tells stories that always bring tears to my eyes. When Taps is played, well, I just about come undone. So emotional and beautiful. Those men and women truly gave the final, full measure of devotion.
Joining the military provides you with a vast array of jobs where you can SERVE. Depending on the skills and interests of the person enlisting, the military has many positions for service. Being a part of the Army of God also provides you with many ways in which you can SERVE the Lord and one another. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that God has given each of us special gifts and calls us to use them to SERVE one another. I suspect if you are reading this, you may already be plugged into a ministry of service at our Church. We have many service opportunities that can be found on the MINISTRY tab of the website.
One such area to serve and use your interests and gifts is the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I love this outreach ministry that provides hand knit and crocheted shawls and lap robes to parishioners in need of comfort. Whether it be illness, loss of a loved one, a new baby, surgery, or just a trying time, this ministry provides a shawl or lap robe with loving prayers and care. At one of our Healing Prayer Services, I was prayed over. The dear ones who prayed for me handed me a little hand knit square that had a cross on it. I still have this and keep it in my car. On road trips I sometimes just hold it and feel the cross with me. I am still comforted from this small square because someone from the Prayer Shawl Ministry and someone in the Prayer Ministry took the time to SERVE.
A Church our size needs a lot of hands to fill many needs. Earlier this month we were blessed to host Nancy Guthrie for a Bible Theology Workshop. With more than 400 registrants over a two-day period, it took a small army of men and women to make sure everything was ready. More than 35 men and women helped to set up, greet, handle check-in, ring sales at the bookstore, serve as section hosts, make coffee and set out water, check restrooms, and then finally, clean up when it was over.
For one event, that was a lot of details to handle. Gifts and talents were used. The Lord was honored and our guests were served.
We cannot all serve in the military. We cannot all serve in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. But we can all SERVE in some way whether it be great or small.
“SERVE wholeheartedly, as if you are serving the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:7
The song “Our Best” was written by S. C. Kirk and published in 1912. The words are so beautiful and a good reminder: do the best you can with what you have. Great or small, every work will be blessed!
Hear ye the Master’s call, “Give Me thy best!”
For, be it great or small, that is His test.
Do then the best you can, not for reward,
Not for the praise of men, but for the Lord.
Refrain:
Every work for Jesus will be blest,
But He asks from everyone his best.
Our talents may be few, these may be small,
But unto Him is due our best, our all.
Wait not for men to laud, heed not their slight;
Winning the smile of God brings its delight!
Aiding the good and true ne’er goes unblest,
All that we think or do, be it the best.
Night soon comes on apace, day hastens by;
Workman and work must face testing on high.
Oh, may we in that day find rest, sweet rest,
Which God has promised those who do their best.
Kindly in Christ,
Kat