“BE BLESSED BY THIS…”

The way the song was introduced caught my attention. With six or seven hundred people I was in a hall at the Indianapolis Convention Center as the Africa University Choir sang, and before each song a member of the choir would tell us the title, the language the choir was using, and then they would say, “Be blessed by this song.”

That’s how it was this past Wednesday in the sanctuary. Students from different nations all over Africa took turns introducing the songs. And each one said, “Be blessed by this song.”

I was intrigued by that as a way of seeing everything we do as a community. “Be blessed by…Vacation Bible School…the food we’re sharing…the shelter we offer… Jubilee College Ministry…our small group…the room your recovery group uses each week…these minutes we share together in the hospital…by the parking we provide across the street…by the prayers we offer…by this worship gathering.”

Do you see your life, do you see today, as a way to bless others? I hope you do. I think the African students are reminding us that we are on a journey of blessing…others! And in that we’ll be blessed…discover joy.

Some of you know our Church Council worked really, really, really hard—and long--Monday night. Some of us were exhausted….

…and then God gave us Wednesday.

God blessed us with Wednesday… halls full of children and volunteers and music and laughter. Our Bishop visited with some lay leaders. Families and teachers and children gathered for a VBS carry-in, and then the Africa University filled the sanctuary with EXUBERANT joy!

Erin, the amazing woman who is our building manager, sent a note out the next morning that said (in part): “”Everywhere inside the church–and across the street—I witnessed amazing acts of team work. From VBS and young adults helping, to snack makers and leaders of games. There were women in the kitchen preparing for the VBS meal. The Staff was pitching in, getting snacks, prepping for our guests and the evening concert. All the different people involved in the life saving exercise on the old post office property. It was a beautiful Dance of Team Work in motion.”

We’ve still got work to do on finding new, healthier, more loving and effective ways of making decisions inside the organization of the church. Even in the middle of this birth, struggle for a new way of doing life together God is running on ahead…doing beautiful things in our midst…blessing us!

“Be blessed by this…” Who will you bless today? I’ve been blessed this week by God in so many ways my heart is dancing like an African choir!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark