Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ

Tuesday July 7, 2020
Kathi Hardy

Serve

When I was a child, I had to serve. I was required to do chores, and the reward was to make those in my immediate circle pleased. The world revolved around me, and I learned that I had to behave in a certain manner to keep it that way.

When I was an adolescent, I got to serve. I became aware of the greater cosmos, and when I participated I was rewarded. I got a piece of candy, or maybe an award. The biggest reward, however, was that I was acknowledged as a person and an important cog in the machinery of life.

As an adult, I want to serve. How did I make the leap from being the center of the universe, to becoming one of many, then accepting my role in all of this? I can't give you a date, or an incident. What I know is that I did not arrive here alone. There is the obvious: I can't host at a shelter without hundreds of people coming before me to pave the path. Any service that our church provides may have started with an person's idea, but to bring that idea to fruition requires more than one person.

To me, those are the little things, the easy things. The important service is not the grandiose kind, it does not provide rewards, and it rarely shows us the long term effects of our actions. How do I know? Because I was, and still am, the recipient of such service. When I was young and received a gentle correction rather than being berated when I misbehaved - someone served God, the community, and me. Then there was the kind word and important guidance when I thought I had all the answers to life, the universe, and everything - someone served God, the community, and me. And now, by giving me the freedom to ask questions that may not be permissible elsewhere, you are serving God, the community, and me.

To paraphrase: service is an outward and visible sign of the inner love we have received from God, and readily, unselfishly share with each other. I am so grateful for the many people in my life, especially St. John's, that have enabled me to walk the Jesus walk. I couldn't do it without you.

Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ

Wednesday July 1, 2020
Bertha Rocray

Go

GO forth into the world in peace

Be of good courage

Hold fast that which is good

Render to no one evil for evil

Serving and praising the Lord

Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit

This is a favorite benediction of mine and I'm sure you have heard it many times. In this time of quarantine, I have read it many times knowing God is near, knowing there is power in the Holy Spirit. I have found in these last three months a gift of time-a time to garden, read and bake. However, now it is time to go forth and serve. Jesus, in his short time on earth, served a wide variety of people-not staying in his "circle of friends"-rather He spread the word of God and changed the world for all of us. Let us now go and follow His example and serve others. Acts of kindness have a great impact on others and will give us all a positive outlook. You may say, 'I can't think of anything I can do", but consider your time and talent and share that with others. Perhaps a handwritten note, a phone call, a ride for a shut-in or a walk with a friend, or on a larger scale consider giving blood-it may save a life. Jesus asked us to go forth into the world and serve. I challenge all of us, in the next few days, to reach out to others-it will change their life and yours.

GO FORTH INTO THE WORLD AND SERVE