Dear Pastor / Reverend, Two men went to a shopping mall. They parked their car and went about doing their business. After a while they returned to the car. The driver reversed out of the parking without giving the car guard a second thought. His passenger asked: “Are you not going to give the poor man a tip?” Feeling a bit guilty the driver rolled down the window, called the car guard closer and said: “Be careful not to stare directly into the sun, as it can damage your eyes” I have come across this a few times in my life. There was a time when I needed someone to pray with me and a pastor said: “All you can do now is to pray!” Another time I needed some advice on a pressing matter and a pastor said: “God will reveal to you what you need to do.” There was a time when I was unemployed and we had to scrape by with what little we had and a Pastor said: “Just trust in the Lord, He will provide” Now in all honesty, I must admit that I have done the same at times. After all, it is much easier to give a “tip” than to put ones hand in your pocket and do something. It is much easier to say “be blessed” than to be a blessing. It is much easier to “place them in God’s hands” than to be God’s hands. A friend of mine told me that his pastor often brought his or some other church members car to him for repairs. This friend will spend hours fixing cars just to hear that God will bless him. One day my friend got upset and told the Pastor: “Don’t bring me any more cars if you do not have cash for while you keep on telling me God will bless me, my family are suffering without food.” Was my friend wrong? Maybe, but most likely not, for many Pastors tend to do the same. We like to bestow “God’s abundant blessings” upon the people but we do little to bless them. So today I just wish to encourage you to be the change you wish to see. I wish to encourage you not to be a preacher only but to reach out wherever and whenever possible. As I have said before, change begins in us. If we desire to see our church members serve God, we need to serve Him first. If we wish to see our church reaching out, we must reach out first. Let us set an example or should I say be the example so that others will see and know what it is God desires of them. What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it? Suppose a brother or sister does not have any clothes or daily food and one of you tells them, Go in peace! Stay warm and eat heartily. If you do not provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do? In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead. (James 2:14-17) Regards, Bamidele, Moyo-Angel II
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:47:13 +0000
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