My wife Terri and I were shopping at the mall a few days ago when we had the pleasure of talking with a very helpful and pleasant salesperson about a new appliance we were thinking about buying. Near the end of our conversation, I decided I should ask her if she had a church that she was attending. She told us she did, but it was online. So, I told her if she would like, we would be pleased if she would join us at Lincoln Presbyterian Church. “Where’s that?” she asked. When I told her, she said, “OH MY GOSH, you’re the Church that delivers food to the people on Porter Avenue! I thought I recognized your voice! You came to our apartment a few months ago!”
Then, as her eyes began to well up with tears, she went on to tell us, when her husband answered the door, you introduced yourself and asked if we might need any assistance with food or diapers. When her husband said they were ok, you asked if there was anything you could pray about for us. She then began to tell us a close family member of theirs had passed away suddenly a couple of days before and both of them were deeply grieved by their loss. “Excuse me a minute” she said, then walked behind some shelving for a few moments, then returned wiping tears from her eyes, and asked “Can I give you a hug?” “I’d be honored” I said. After a comforting hug she went on to tell us how much a simple prayer offered in a time of need deeply touched both her and her husband.
Jesus tells us in Mathew 28:19-20 and again in Acts 1:8 to “go”… Our Lord also tells us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I believe our church is doing just that. We are going out to our neighbors and sharing the light and love of God and bringing glory to Him.
Maybe you feel a bit apprehensive about what you can do or how you can make an impact. Most of us who venture out to meet our neighbors feel the exact same way. But as we’ve stepped out in faith, we are reminded afresh that God is with us and provides the needed encouragement. Like a good friend told me one time, “You propose, let God dispose!” Or, “You reach out, let God handle the results!” And He certainly does! Occasionally, God will give an encouraging encounter like the one mentioned above, but we have determined to simply be faithful to God in love and to let Him be responsible for outcomes. We simply try to remember that when God said “go” He also said, “I’m going with you, always.”
When we met this sweet young lady in the store, she said, “Oh, you’re the church that…!” It seems since we began spending time reaching out and serving our neighborhood, we hear that statement more and more. Oh, you’re the Church that does Trunk-or-Treat. Oh, you’re the Church that has… Christmas Lights… the Garage Sale… National Night Out… provided thanksgiving meals… picks up trash on our street, the church that prayed with or for me. What a blessing to know that among all the potential reputations that we could be known for, we’re becoming known as the church that… does good!