02-16-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 16, 2025
So on Friday, I was in the office alone. It was quiet, and I was getting a lot done. Suddenly, I heard some noise from the other side of the office, near the back door. Come to find out, Kay and Mike Smith had come by the church to pick up items that had been dropped off for Northwest Assistance Ministry. Only after taking all the items to their car did they stick their heads into the office and say, “Hello!” They are not alone in quietly and unpretentiously doing good work on behalf of the church and throughout the community. We had folks participate in a workday on Saturday, and though the weather wasn’t quite as nice as we would have liked, a lot was done. In Christianity, we tend to associate faithfulness with the great characters of scripture and the saints throughout the church’s history. Too often, we do not want to place ourselves in the category of those who gave so much, even their lives. Yet the world needs faithfulness in every expression imaginable. Sometimes the quiet and unpretentious acts of faithfulness that fly under the radar join with similar acts of faithfulness, and before long, there is an expression of faithfulness that is more than the sum of its parts. I am thankful for every act of faithful living.

A little before Paul describes the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, we encounter the words: “You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love” (vs.13). In my opinion, that encapsulates the essence of faithfulness.

For all the good and faithful work done, Gracious God, I am thankful. So many hands and hearts offering to be part of seeing your dream come alive in the here and now. Amen.