Did you ever watch the A TEAM on TV? You know, those military guys wrongly accused of a military crime out doing good in the world. After one of their crazy schemed plans would work and the bad guys were defeated, Hannibal — the team leader — would stick a cigar in his mouth and mumble, “I love it when a plan comes together!”
Unfortunately I didn’t have a cigar last Sunday (just kidding), but I might have been guilty of mumbling, “I love it when a plan comes together” as I watched SERVE YOUR WORLD DAY unfold. I don’t mean to imply that I take credit for the planning of the event, because Pastor Austin and his Outreach Team deserve the credit for that… but I guess the vision over the years has been mine.
While I have enjoyed all the other SERVE YOUR WORLD DAY events in the past, this one was special because other area churches joined us. Last Sunday wasn’t about denominations or individual church services programed to fulfill some worship service philosophy — last Sunday was about the Church of Jesus Christ in action.
We loved people by doing for them things that perhaps they could not have done for themselves, or by showing appreciation to them simply for being part of our community. We served people, and we prayed with and for people… and God received glory. If you missed SERVE YOUR WORLD DAY you missed a blessing. I don’t write that to make you feel guilty, but to affirm that God was present and he was glorified.
After a meal together, well over 200 of us gathered in the park to sing worship songs to the Lord, share testimonies of his goodness and be challenged from God’s word. As I wrapped up that worship service I told the folks there — “You are the people
that I want to do life with!” It didn’t matter if they were Assembly of God, Nazarenes, or from CAC… they were simply the church in action — agreeing on the fundamental truth that the gospel should not only be preached with words, but it should also be seen by action.
As I shared with the folks that day, some might think that pulling weeds or spreading mulch isn’t much when it comes to worshipping God. Perhaps God would rather we be in the pews singing, passing the offering plate and opening our Bibles. But then I remember my life verse…
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. If you are pulling weeds, splitting wood, spreading mulch, preparing a meal, praying over a community, showing appreciation to those who serve in our community… and you do if for the Lord… it is never… ever… useless. God can use it!
Jesus once said, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 Remember, your good deeds — done for the Lord — cause others to glorify God.
If you are tempted to think weed pulling and log splitting can’t be used by the Lord for good and for his purpose to bring glory to himself… ask me what happened when my team was just splitting wood… and you will see exactly what I mean!
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