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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Mistaken For Who?"
November 25, 2009
I love Monday mornings after a great day of worship and service. I come
into the office charged up and riding on a cloud. I feel a little bit like Daniel
after he was pulled out of the Lion's Den. Nothing can bring me down. Like
David after he defeated Goliath, I am riding high.
I am exaggerating a little bit but there are those days when my ego jumps
in the cart and tells me to enjoy the ride. This past Sunday I had a great day.
It started with wonderful worship. It continued with the delivery of twenty
seven thanksgiving baskets. It ended with a meeting of new member
candidates.
On Monday morning I was feeling like "the Man" as I drove to work. I
drove into the church parking lot and noticed a bag of garbage strewn all
over the yard and spreading into the road. What a mess! I began wondering
if I should just leave it there or call the custodian and have him come in
early to pick it up.
I went inside and went to work. As I got on the computer I couldn't help
but think of that trash outside. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away.
Somebody had to pick it up. It was at that moment that my feet touched the
ground again and I remembered who I really was. I put on gloves and went
outside and began picking up garbage.
A woman came by the church looking for her food basket. She thought I
was the custodian and she asked me if the minister was in. I told her to go
inside and see the secretary. She'd be able to help.
It was a humbling experience. Yet it was a vivid reminder of something
our Lord said to all of us in ministry. He said, "whoever wants to become
great among you must first become a servant, just as the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve..."
That is what the season of Advent is all about. It is a reminder that God
gave up his rightful claim of power and authority and became a helpless
child to show his love for all of us. He became Emmanuel, God with us. He
made his throne in a stable in the middle of a little town where men, women
and children could have access to his grace. He calls us to live with that
same spirit and to share his grace with all we meet.
As we move into the Christmas season, I'd like to invite you to do things a
little differently this year. Instead of just buying presents for everyone on
your list, take some time to do something nice for the people in your life.
Give of your time, your energy and your love. Practice random acts of
kindness to those you meet along the way.
Slow down. Look around. Take a moment and you will see that the Lord
is there walking right beside you. Let his love shine through you and I
promise you that this will be the best Christmas ever.
God Bless. See You In Church. Cal
November 25, 2009
I love Monday mornings after a great day of worship and service. I come
into the office charged up and riding on a cloud. I feel a little bit like Daniel
after he was pulled out of the Lion's Den. Nothing can bring me down. Like
David after he defeated Goliath, I am riding high.
I am exaggerating a little bit but there are those days when my ego jumps
in the cart and tells me to enjoy the ride. This past Sunday I had a great day.
It started with wonderful worship. It continued with the delivery of twenty
seven thanksgiving baskets. It ended with a meeting of new member
candidates.
On Monday morning I was feeling like "the Man" as I drove to work. I
drove into the church parking lot and noticed a bag of garbage strewn all
over the yard and spreading into the road. What a mess! I began wondering
if I should just leave it there or call the custodian and have him come in
early to pick it up.
I went inside and went to work. As I got on the computer I couldn't help
but think of that trash outside. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away.
Somebody had to pick it up. It was at that moment that my feet touched the
ground again and I remembered who I really was. I put on gloves and went
outside and began picking up garbage.
A woman came by the church looking for her food basket. She thought I
was the custodian and she asked me if the minister was in. I told her to go
inside and see the secretary. She'd be able to help.
It was a humbling experience. Yet it was a vivid reminder of something
our Lord said to all of us in ministry. He said, "whoever wants to become
great among you must first become a servant, just as the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve..."
That is what the season of Advent is all about. It is a reminder that God
gave up his rightful claim of power and authority and became a helpless
child to show his love for all of us. He became Emmanuel, God with us. He
made his throne in a stable in the middle of a little town where men, women
and children could have access to his grace. He calls us to live with that
same spirit and to share his grace with all we meet.
As we move into the Christmas season, I'd like to invite you to do things a
little differently this year. Instead of just buying presents for everyone on
your list, take some time to do something nice for the people in your life.
Give of your time, your energy and your love. Practice random acts of
kindness to those you meet along the way.
Slow down. Look around. Take a moment and you will see that the Lord
is there walking right beside you. Let his love shine through you and I
promise you that this will be the best Christmas ever.
God Bless. See You In Church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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