Some months ago, I lost a dear friend to the COVID virus, and thinking back over the events of the weekend when we had his memorial service my mind comes to rest on a foundational verse for those who follow Christ. We've all heard it, many who don't know Christ have it memorized, it's repeated to the point where it almost loses meaning.
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
God LOVED so much He GAVE.
I saw this happen firsthand this weekend.
I lead the usher/greeter/security team at my home church, and we had an event to remember the life, and mourn the passing of a dear brother. It was the first event of this size we had after we reopened and had to be concerned with CDC guidelines & best practices related to the virus that's circulating currently - and has claimed the life of the very brother we were gathered to honor.
In order to manage the numbers of people who could have potentially come to an event like this, we developed multiple seating areas in our building so we could accommodate those numbers. I was in need of more people than I normally need to manage for a regular weekly service to help seat people and ensure proper distancing and capacity. I asked people who haven't previously served on my team to help and serve.
There was a lady who offered to serve, and I was grateful for her help.
While the service was going on, she noticed someone come out from one of the video venues who was showing signs of being overwhelmed by emotion. My volunteer saw, loved and gave her a tissue to wipe away her tears.
As the service continued, the volunteer noticed the girl still struggling, she loved and gave her a chair to sit on in the lobby. She loved and gave her a glass of water.
My volunteer did this as she went about other activities included with volunteering at the event, helping direct people, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and so on.
During a lull in things, my volunteer headed into the leadership office to take a breath, distance and take her mask off for a moment, and take a drink of her soda.
It was at this point that the grieving girl sought out my volunteer, and asked "Can I have a hug?" My volunteer loved and gave her a hug, reassured her that things would get better, and shared a moment in eternity with this girl's hurting soul. She loved and gave.
My point in saying this is: this volunteer may not be perfect, who among us is? She may not be a knowledgeable theologian, who among us is? She may have questions about God that she struggles with herself, who among us doesn't? But she has a deep understanding of the foundation of a relationship with Christ.
For my volunteer so loved this person she'd never met before she gave. No judgement, no qualification - she simply set everything else aside and served this grieving person with what she needed most in the moment, love. The same love shown to us all by our heavenly Father, unconditional love.
Father, help me to love others. Help everyone on my team to not be guided by rules & guidelines, but rather be guided by the example You have given us in the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to be aware of those around us who need love, and equip us to be ready in any moment to give ourselves to fill that need. Help us, help ME to be Your loving arms for Your children. Thank you for loving me, even while I chose to be apart from You. Today, I choose You and Your love.
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
God LOVED so much He GAVE.
I saw this happen firsthand this weekend.
I lead the usher/greeter/security team at my home church, and we had an event to remember the life, and mourn the passing of a dear brother. It was the first event of this size we had after we reopened and had to be concerned with CDC guidelines & best practices related to the virus that's circulating currently - and has claimed the life of the very brother we were gathered to honor.
In order to manage the numbers of people who could have potentially come to an event like this, we developed multiple seating areas in our building so we could accommodate those numbers. I was in need of more people than I normally need to manage for a regular weekly service to help seat people and ensure proper distancing and capacity. I asked people who haven't previously served on my team to help and serve.
There was a lady who offered to serve, and I was grateful for her help.
While the service was going on, she noticed someone come out from one of the video venues who was showing signs of being overwhelmed by emotion. My volunteer saw, loved and gave her a tissue to wipe away her tears.
As the service continued, the volunteer noticed the girl still struggling, she loved and gave her a chair to sit on in the lobby. She loved and gave her a glass of water.
My volunteer did this as she went about other activities included with volunteering at the event, helping direct people, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and so on.
During a lull in things, my volunteer headed into the leadership office to take a breath, distance and take her mask off for a moment, and take a drink of her soda.
It was at this point that the grieving girl sought out my volunteer, and asked "Can I have a hug?" My volunteer loved and gave her a hug, reassured her that things would get better, and shared a moment in eternity with this girl's hurting soul. She loved and gave.
My point in saying this is: this volunteer may not be perfect, who among us is? She may not be a knowledgeable theologian, who among us is? She may have questions about God that she struggles with herself, who among us doesn't? But she has a deep understanding of the foundation of a relationship with Christ.
For my volunteer so loved this person she'd never met before she gave. No judgement, no qualification - she simply set everything else aside and served this grieving person with what she needed most in the moment, love. The same love shown to us all by our heavenly Father, unconditional love.
Father, help me to love others. Help everyone on my team to not be guided by rules & guidelines, but rather be guided by the example You have given us in the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to be aware of those around us who need love, and equip us to be ready in any moment to give ourselves to fill that need. Help us, help ME to be Your loving arms for Your children. Thank you for loving me, even while I chose to be apart from You. Today, I choose You and Your love.
