Take A Sip!

                                         “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7)

About four years ago, our Pastor asked all our ministry leaders to take turns serving soup outside on the lawn of our church.  I cannot even give you a good reason why I didn’t want to do it—it was pure selfishness, honestly.  I thought it was a waste of time.  I had better things to do on a Saturday.  I had Sunday school lessons to prepare, something around the house that needed taken care of. Or maybe I just wanted to meet a friend at a local coffee shop for some “girl chat”.

I was drawn back to the story of Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a drink in John 4.  She immediately started questioning Jesus and making excuses.  Her first question challenged Jesus as a religious leader—Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans.  Then, she made another excuse as to why she couldn’t draw water for him–he had nothing to draw with and the well was too deep (John 4:11).  I began to realize that’s how I was thinking.  Often times I would make excuses, thinking I was too deep in sin for God to use me.  My selfishness, my pride, my unforgiving heart blocked my ability to see the goodness of Christ in all things we do.  I would hear God’s voice, and feel His Spirit, but I did not act on the instructions and guidance He gave me.

I made way to that street corner each Saturday for 4 weeks serving homemade soup and hot chocolate to anyone who would walk by.  Several months later I saw a woman in the grocery store who recognized me from that corner.  “Don’t you go to the church on that hill?”

I replied, “Yes, how are you?”  I didn’t recognize her but she knew something about me.  She went on to tell me how she had the best soup one afternoon and we prayed with her.  She went on to share her personal story and how she appreciated the prayer the Pastor had given her.  It was at that moment that God said, this is why I needed you to serve soup.  It wasn’t about the soup; it was about the living water that flows in and through all who believe in Him. It was about being light when people are living in darkness.

If I had let my selfishness prevent me from serving,  I would have missed the opportunity to be light.  In order for living water to flow in us and through us we have to rid ourselves of ourselves–release the selfishness, the resentment, and the unforgiveness.  We must led the Spirit lead us to what is sure to be something pure, perfect, and right because He is an awesome God!

Goodness in Good Friday

I have been on a pursuit to remove the religiosity I grew up believing because honestly it didn't really help me to stop sinning or disobeying; I knew of Jesus, and I would wander from church to church in my 20s knowing I needed to get right. I spent most of my 30s trying to make up for the time lost in my 20's until I laid everything on the altar. In my secret place I found that I really can't make up anything from my past. I can embrace the past and learn from it so I can share and teach others.  On this Good Friday, I am overwhelmed by the Goodness of Jesus. He died for me, and you.  He could have called the whole plan off you know. He could have said, “You know what, it’s not worth it, and they aren’t even worth it”

 But, He didn’t.  In fact, knowing what the end would be, He kept on going. He kept on teaching, he kept on serving and loving, right to the end; Why? Well, there is a song that simply says, "He did it to save my soul--all of our souls”; When I think about Good Friday my heart melts. I never knew a love so selfless. He asks us to have that same kind of love, to bestow that same kind of grace. I fall short daily. We all do. As I move in a constant pursuit of the Most High King, I want to walk like He walks, talk like He talks, love like He loves, and forgive like He forgives. This Good Friday, I want to rest in the Goodness of the attributes of Christ. I want to imitate His character traits, so when people see me, they don't see a church goer, but the see Jesus.

www.shanimcilwain.com

His Triumphant Entry, Shows Us How......

Has Palm Sunday become one of those “Christian Rituals” that we often take for granted? Have you heard someone who doesn't frequently come to church say, “Bring me back a palm?”  What does that mean? What does the palm signify in your life?   Sometimes we do things because religious doctrine tells us its “time to do it” but we don’t really sit to meditate and appreciate the why factor.  Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was to make it clear that he was the Messiah, He was the King that was prophesied all throughout the Old Testament and now he has come to free the people of their hurt, burdens, and sin. 

 He in his royal highness has come to make everything right; and make fix everything wrong. He was beginning His final days on earth. He knew what He had to do, and He began his triumphant entry with boldness and obedience with The One who sent Him.

 But, the fact that he came in on a borrowed donkey and that he wasn't dressed in royal robes or  the finest of linen but on the clothes of His disciples shows us that Jesus is available to anyone who seeks Him.  You don’t have to speak eloquently and know everything.  You don’t have to pronounce the words correctly and know the exact dates and times of every biblical story.  

 But what you should know is that the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ was and is accessible to all.  Palm Sunday reminds us that in everything we do we need to find the people.  We need to find the poor, the naked, the hungry, the lost, the hurt, and the least.  Palm Sunday reminds us that we must conquer the evils of the world with love.  Palm Sunday reminds us about servant-hood.  Palm Sunday is more than just picking your 5 extra palms, going home and making your cross figurine and placing it on your dashboard until next year. But, understanding that when you display your Palm Sunday Cross, is your heart willing to love the stranger?  Are you living on purpose and giving your gifts back to God?   We have a duty to not simple carry on Christian rituals but in everything we do, we must show people   Jesus. 

Suggested Readings:  (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19).

Photo Cred. By: Rev. T. Denise Anderson...