This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastor of Teaching/Worship"I won't force you, you decide," was Elijah's approach to Elisha when he asked him about volunteering. We learned that many times people do not volunteer because they were never asked. So, let me ask you to give serious consideration to how God would want you to pass the torch of faith to someone else. Responding to the call of God in this area can give deep meaning to your life.
What can be more important than passing the faith from one person to another? While this can happen many ways and in many places, why not consider getting involved with the children or students of LBF? Lastly, I'd be interested in your stories of how you have been involved in passing the faith or receiving the faith. Why don't you take a minute and share your story on our blog below? I'll look forward to reading them.
Through Gary's message this weekend, we were reminded the importance of passing the torch of faith. Most likely, the only way we will successfully pass our faith to others is through a significant friendship/relationship. It got me thinking...relationships are hard work, they dont often just happen. It takes an intentional effort to make them work. If you are like me, perhaps during Gary's message you were reminded of people in your past with whom you had a strong relationship/friendship. I was reminded of people with whom I was in the process of reaching out to... in an effort to pass the torch of faith. But many of these friendships have faded. Why? Because neither of us put in the hard work of making the friendship last, neither of us had be intentional. Through Gary's message, I felt God prompting me to re-connect with these friends, providing more opportunity for God to work through me as a torch passer.
ReplyDeleteGary's message made me realize I needed to thank the people who handed me the torch and helped to make me who I am. And, also, how important it is to keep the torch going.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up outside the church, I was not offered this "torch of faith" until well beyond my childhood years. And yes, when it was finally offered to me, I took hold of it and started running, for awhile anyway. But it felt as if I was holding it all by myself, nobody to help. Later, it started to get heavy and often it would be right in the way of where I was going. Sometimes, I had to turn my head just to see around it. So for a number of years, I hid it under ?the bushel? and walked as if I could see on my own. Oh, I managed not to fall off a cliff, and I was blessed with only a few cuts and bruises. But later on, I started to wonder where I had put it and how I might find it again.
ReplyDeleteThis is where community comes in. When we take the time to know and understand our neighbors, it matters to them. When we don?t, it doesn?t; no matter what we say. Someone from LBF took the time to understand me, and my life was changed. Sharing with each other is where God wants us, not isolated or insulated, but involved and caring. I write this not as someone that is comfortable with the process, but as someone that needs constant reminding of how community is made.
It's interesting how the decision to go through the Old Testament is having such a deepening spiritual effect on people at LBF. When I took on this new role (being a co-teacher with Jeff)I knew that it would be a challenge but it also would be a good thing as well. I'm thankful for the priviledge to be studying the Old Testament and bringing God's truth to our church. I'm also thankful to you as I read these posts to the blog. Thanks for taking the time to write. For Miriam and I we have some new neighbors that we are just starting to get to know. I can't predict what will unfold but I look forward to God using me to pass the torch of faith. Thanks for that reminder, Daryl. May the conversation continue and may it help us all reflect Jesus to a world that he loves.
ReplyDelete