10-04-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 4, 2024
We did it! Yes, we did it! Last night, we officially opened the new playground. It is beautiful, and I am beyond excited. And when I say “we did it,” I am emphasizing the word “we.” This was a community effort. We had an initial gift from an anonymous angel, and though it was 35% of the total cost, there was still a lot more. Gifts came in from dozens of people; prayer surrounded the project; others asked a friend with the right equipment to help us pull out the old playground equipment that was well concreted into the ground; and still others brought other assorted gifts. We did it! So much of what is accomplished by the church is accomplished because the community chooses to come together in the realization of a common purpose. In Philippians 2:2, the Apostle Paul wrote that we are to bring fullness to the experience of joy by coming together in the same mindset and having the same commitment to love. The new playground could be defined by its elements—metal, plastic, rubber, artificial grass, etc. Or it could be defined in terms of a child-centered purpose seeking fulfillment in a tangible expression of love. We did that! And we have a beautiful place for children to play, to feel special, and to be affirmed in the creative silliness that is childhood.

Thank you, Gracious God, when you inspire the generosity of people to come together in fulfilling a common purpose. Some might believe it to be impossible, but one gift is followed by another and another. No single gift completes the project. It is your vision catching hold in the collective spirit of the community. Amen.