"Imperfect people Serving a Perfect God"
Dateline: Minneapolis
In July of 2005 I was ordained to the ministry by New Hope Baptist Church. Between July and the end of 2005, I was faced with several opportunities to test my new calling. Weddings, funerals, and baptisms kept me busy and the year culminated by preaching at a prison on Christmas Day.
I will never forget the long lonely drive I took to the prison early on that winter morning. I will never forget the feeling as the gates locked behind me and the incarcerated men were released from their cells to attend the service. As I looked around there was litter everywhere in the halls, as if a party (or a riot) had taken place the previous evening. I followed the guard into the large room which served as chapel. The man took their seats and the service began.
Some volunteers from a Catholic Church read Scriptures and prayed. The men all seemed eager to be there and I began to get a sense of fellowship and community in this most unlikely place. I was introduced and preached a message on "true gifts." The men received the Word (with plenty of "amens"). Then, the men's choir was introduced and a man sat behind the piano. A few familiar chords rang out and the choir began to sing "Lean on Me." Before the first chorus began, the entire chapel was standing and singing together at full volume.
After the service, more prisoners than I could count approached me and thanked me for the Word. They were fully appreciative that I spent Christmas morning with them. All in all it was one of, if not the most, "real" worship service I have ever been a part of in my life. If only our churches could emulate this each and every Sunday.
Bottom line- That Christmas I learned that the best way to celebrate the season is by totally and completely giving up ourselves to serve others. Too many of us are selfishly thinking about our own needs right now... let it go. Go out of your way to serve someone else next Wednesday. You will be blessed.
