"Passionately Seeking & Speaking the Love of Jesus"
Dateline: Phillips West
I heard a great quote recently from a woman who was part of a small group discussion. She said, "Humility is embarrassing." How true. I would like to add that the opposite of humility, pride, does whatever it can to keep us from being embarrassed.
One of the things I have been reminded of time and time again is that the ministry of the church, every ministry of the church, is God's work and He will get it done. In the 14 years I have been involved in New Hope Baptist Church I have witnessed people come and go for a variety of reasons. From church visitors who move away from the neighborhood to Pastor Bob being called home to heaven. I have seen God bless many people by giving them an opportunity to be a part of His work here at New Hope.
Every time I see a new person "come out of nowhere" and begin to serve God in this place I am humbly reminded that this is God's work, He is the most important person in the place, and He will be served, blessed, honored, talked about, prayed to, exalted, and proclaimed. As a phrase keeps popping into my head, "This is God's house and He demands to be worshipped here," I am reminded of Jesus' words about rocks crying out...
I am currently reading a book called "The Weight of Mercy." It is about an inner city ministry with many of the same issues that I have seen for the past 14 years. Karen Edwards sent a copy to me (I believe her son Mike sent it to her) and I can see how this story touches the heart of anyone involved in God's work in the inner city. Matter of fact, I have had to read the book very gingerly as many of the stories cut so close to home they hurt.
Anyhow, the book "Amens" the point I am making here. People, all people, have a tendency to elevate themselves and their importance to the church. But it is God's work and He will accomplish what He has begun.
It is humbling to think that the church would continue without me, or any one of us, but it is true. Humility is embarrassing. What a comfort to know that God's grace in letting us "do church work" can bless away any hurt feelings and that His love for us lifts us up by reminding us that what we do for Him is soooooo much bigger than ourselves.
