God Moving At Maranatha
October 16, 2022
YOU MAKE MARANATHA WORK
Many people invest their energies week by week to make Maranatha the thriving place it is. This eagerness to serve is a constant source of gratitude for me. I love it when I see people matching their gifts to an area of service and finding their unique fit in the body of Christ.
The apostle Paul refers to this kind of mutual service when he says, “From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). What that means for us at Maranatha is that whether you are a greeter or a worship leader, a cook, a coffee-server or a Council member, it is your faithful service that makes the church work.
Sometimes we refer to people who serve in the church as “volunteers.” I actually don’t like that term. “Volunteer” implies that our lives are our own, and that we are under no obligation to give ourselves to others. As Christians we look at this differently. We believe our lives belong to Christ, not to ourselves. We owe Him everything. Loving those whom Christ loves is our reasonable response for his gift of salvation, that we cannot hope to pay back.
None of us should do more in the church than we can physically and emotionally handle. God doesn’t want us to burn out. (As the saying goes, “If you burn the candle at both ends you are not too bright.”) At the same time, all of us can do something. If everyone finds one significant way to serve their brothers and sisters in the church, our work will be light and joyful.
In his letters, Paul was constantly giving thanks for his brothers and sisters in Christ. I feel this same gratitude. I am thankful for you!
- Pastor Tom
