What the Church is Here For
This last week has been difficult for my family. Two of the members of my family have been in the hospital for the last week (my wife staying with our youngest daughter), and nobody knows yet exactly what treatment will be best going forward. It’s like all of life is on pause for the two of them until they come home.
And yet, life goes on for the rest of us.
It’s been a busy week, which has included the VBS Clinic, a prayer gathering for a new church plant, dentist appointments for our other three kids, serving at the Nokomis Christian Missions, and so much more. I’ve gotten just a very small taste of what it’s like to be a single parent this week.
But the church has also been great to my family during this hard week.
They’ve babysat our kids, they’ve provided meals, they’ve driven to the hospital to visit my family and also to give them things that they need. But best of all, they’ve been praying for us.
I sent one church member a note on Facebook that said, “Thanks for helping to watch my kids tonight. I don’t know what I’d do without all of you helping me so much this week.” She replied, “It’s no problem at all! It’s what we are all here for!”
She’s right, of course. One of the purposes of the church is to love, encourage, and support those who are in the church. It says of the early church that “they sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45). I don’t think anyone has sold anything for us this week, but they have given up their time and energy, and we greatly appreciate it.
Sometimes we forget that aspect of the church. That we’re to sacrifice for one another. In our society today, where we are so independent and don’t want to rely on anyone, and where we are often so stingy with our resources, God calls us to remember that everything we have is from Him. And everything we have is His. Our time, our money, our possessions, our abilities, they’re all His.
Life is not about getting ahead. Life is not about hoarding our time, money, etc. He who has the most toys does not win.
But he who uses all that God has given him to serve and love others as he has faith in Jesus and follows Jesus, that person is definitely on the right track.