Our Lord Jesus introduced one line of his thinking in the Sermon on the Mount in these words: “What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul….” This suggests a laser like focus on fundamental values. At the beginning of each year, we set out to shake loose from unimportant concerns and ways of thinking to focus on that which is most important.
When one has gone into the hospital operating room, breathed that which relieves our conscientiousness so that he can experience major life-threatening surgery, he is aware of life’s most important values. It seems to me that these values center in giving one’s self to God. It means resigning all claims to the very small requests of selfishness and giving all one has to helping others see, experience and share the love of God. It means learning to bathe in the beauty of flowers, the joy of music, the sweetness of loving fellowship.
What a blessing has been given each of us to help in the ministry to the children, not only of Pilgrim Chapel, but also those of Washington UCC Church, where resources are so limited.
I believe that God calls on each of us to his or her own special ministry; that we are to open much of ourselves, our energies, our monies, and all that we have to make God’s love evident to others in the world.
In recent weeks, I have seen laid out so clearly how valuable it is for a person—any person—to “find a need and fill it.” Start small. Don’t seek preferment. Don’t seek honor. Just pitch in. Do it! Watch things change. Somehow, then, even honors may find their way to you.
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