The chain fell off Lilies bike, or something tragic like that, and she's having to ride the three wheeler till the bike get's fixed. I believe she was going for the rickshaw look here. She was holding the umbrella under her chin, trying to keep it over her head without falling off the bike. I suggested sticking it down the back of her pants. The handle wasn't long enough so the umbrella was sitting on her head. Needless to say, she kept on riding the bike and singing some song I couldn't make out.
Sometimes, that exactly what faith in action looks like. It can start off by a challenging mishap that throws you a little off your game. Lily just learned how to ride a bicycle this summer. Before that, she was on this three wheeled contraption. The girl can flat out ride that three wheeler! But as most of you know, the turning radius and freedom of movement is greater on a bicycle. Our mishap happened (chain fell off bike) and we kept on going, finding something else (three wheeler) to help us with our goal (riding and singing).
While our faith is in action and we are doing our thing, feeding the hungry, loving on children, helping out at the local shelter, another road block jumps up and try's to derail us. It starts to rain!
It is much easier to drop everything and run screaming into the house, as if the rain is melting us into the asphalt. Noticing an umbrella, and a red one at that, lying by the door was the perfect boost to our faith in action. This red umbrella comes in many forms. The Bible, a friends phone call, a nap, someone else with the same goals and road blocks. It helps us get back out there.
So, have you ever road a bike with an umbrella? I know, me too, but do you remember the first time you did it? Not real graceful huh? But you kept at it, trying things like sticking the umbrella under your chin, finding someone else to help you at the shelter, loving those kids anyway!
It looked so good in our mind when we thought about it. Riding a bike and singing a song. How did it get this messed up? Wrong bike, bad weather, ungraceful feeling...I mean, come on!
When we let go of what our picture looks like, and when we allow our faith to carry us into action, we need to remember who brought us to this place to begin with and we need to keep peddling.
Have you ever rode a bike in the rain and the joy over flowed in you until you burst out into song? Or walked, or ran or drove in the rain?
Faith is action, it's like that. It's the action that keeps on going even when the picture changes some. It's showing up, even when you think your going to melt into the asphalt or your not feeling very graceful. Next thing you know, joy jumps in your basket and your off singing that song that no one else in the whole world knows the words to.
Our youth did the 30 Hour Famine last week, which means they didn't eat for 30 hours; to raise funds and awareness for starving children in Africa. They lived in cardboard boxes on the front lawn of the church! It's was a great time for them. They broke the famine at the prayer service with communion. It was an awesome time.
Sitting through that prayer service, I was encouraged in my heart. We had a time of meditative prayer, followed by communion and topped off with music. It refilled me, as I find myself in what lately.
I am once again reminded of the spirit of childlikeness. That when we come before Him small, weak, and open, He will be there!
During the service we sang "I'm Madly in love with you" and it just did something to me. Jesus reminded me and He set me free. He called me to more, and He refilled my soul!
If we will come to Him and make ourselves like children, He will refill us and encourage us and equipped us for the job He has called us to. The key being, come to Him. That's really all He asking, just come. He will provide the rest. Just show up!
So often, we are too busy with our own agenda's and we don't make time for the Father of our soul. I encourage you to take 15 minutes today, find a place to sit, and just show up! Here I am God! I have no idea what I'm suppose to do, but you told me to come, so here I am. Then just be still and listen.
Sometimes it really can be about showing up! The fancy word for showing up is faithfulness. As a layperson, I feel I have a few things to say about showing up, and as a pastor's wife, I know how much it means to have people who are faithful to their church! Another word that can be used in here is dependable. I remember as the director of a NonProfit, I counted my few dependable, faithful, volunteers as my bread and butter. In fact, there wasn't much I could do without them, and I told them this, often!!
In the church, it's the same way. God is looking for faithfulness in His people. Think about it, it's one of the few things we can give back to God. We can have all the stunning gifts, wonderful talents, and amazing personalities, but if we aren't showing up, being faithful and dependable, what they heck are we doing?
What am I talking about when I say faithful and dependable? Well, it would be attending services and functions whenever possible, even when you'd rather be at a Hog game, or the deer woods are calling your name. Not simply because you may get something out of it, but because your presence says something about what you value.
Let me ask you 2 questions. Did you go to church on Sunday and Monday last week? Did you see people that were there then but didn't show back up yesterday? Then you, my friend, are faithful and someone I consider a church hero.
See, sometimes it is about showing up. We may not think anyone notices, or that none really care, but let me tell you how wrong that thinking is. God notices and so does your Pastor. Keep showing up you faithful few, God has great things for you!
When we let go of what our picture looks like, and when we allow our faith to carry us into action, we need to remember who brought us to this place to begin with and we need to keep peddling.
