7-1-2016

       Good Morning All!!   

            Luke 21:13; “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

       For many people in the United States, one of our greatest accomplishments was the landing of a man on the moon in July of 1969.  It was a long and arduous task.  President Kennedy first proposed it in a speech before Congress in May of 1961.  Yet it was his speech at Rice University in September of 1962 that President Kennedy really stirred the nation.

    “We choose to go to the Moon! ... We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win”

The entire nation was stirred.  The desire to accomplish this goal galvanized the nation, especially those who were involved in the space program.  There is a story that as President Kennedy was touring the new space complex in Houston, Texas; he asked a man who was the janitor in the building what he did here.  The man answered, “Sending a man to the moon, Sir.”  Now some would look at this and laugh but it really shows how focused everyone was on accomplishing this task.  Everyone involved played a role.  Everyone involved saw their role as contributing to the common goal of landing a man on the moon.

    In many ways, it would be nice if everyone in the Church recognized that their role in bringing Christ to the nations in this fashion.  Every believer contributes and every contribution is invaluable.  Each contribution is vital and needed.  There are no inconsequential witnesses; they are all important and needed.

    We cannot take the position that witnessing is someone else’s job.  We all play a part.  They all matter.  The preacher’s sermon maybe one of the finest delivered but if no one invited the new couple to church; it went unheard.  If no one shows the kindness and the love of Christ to the lonely single mother and her family, they may never visit the church.  The older couple down the road that needs some help getting to the doctor may never know God’s love up close and personal. 

    It gets even simpler than that.  It is the kind word to the checkout girl or to the bagger boy.  It is the smile to the waiter or waitress when you eat lunch.  It is the friendly way to your neighbor.  What are we doing here?  We are witnessing to the world that Jesus has changed our lives and our outlook.  We share his love with all we meet.

Father in heaven, your mercies are new to us each morning. Guide us by your Spirit that we may see with eyes of faith your love poured out in this broken world.  Lead us to be your hands and your arms, your voice and your compassion.  Move us to bring your loving kindness to all those whom we meet.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret