A day of blessings, Father! Nothing out of the ordinary but we were together and were pretty productive. Family and love – some of the greatest blessings to have!
Acts 20:31-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
I have often referred to my time at Kohl’s as pastoring my third church. I never preached a sermon there…though I diligently – not perfectly mind you – strove to live out one every day. I never collected an offering though I accepted thousands upon thousands of dollars throughout my 18 years of working there. Beyond my own prayers between God and myself, I recall only being asked to pray for a group gathered there one time. I hadn’t worked there a year when the tragic events of 9/11 took place. We gathered for a moment of silence, and I concluded with a short prayer.
Yes, we find those things in our churches – sermons, offerings, prayer, and many other important, fulfilling things. But if we are followers of Jesus, it makes no difference where we find ourselves – we are ambassadors representing Him in all we say and do.
I happen to have “earned”, if you will, the privilege to have Reverend or Pastor placed before my name. But, at least for me, it is just a formality. People at Kohl’s knew that I was a pastor, but no one called me Pastor Thom. So, I, just like you, was just one more faithful believer working their way through life. (And I continue to do so!)
The portion of Scripture on which I am focusing today is where Paul is surrounded by weeping people. The notes of the Amplified Bible state that it is literally saying there was considerable weeping of all. v37 Paul was weeping as well, as hetold them that he will never see them again, and they are crushed. They love him and he them.
Reading through the study notes from the portion of this passage in my Life Application Study Bible, it reads,
Like Paul, you (that is, you and I) can build strong relationships with other Christians (and I will emphatically add, with everyone…not just Christians!) by sharing, caring, sorrowing, rejoicing, and praying with them. You (again, you and I) will gather others around you only by giving yourself away to them.
By no means was I liked by everyone, but I cherish a multitude of relationships that I have had over the years with these wonderful people. To date, I have officiated at three weddings of Kohl’s associates or their family members. (I was asked just a couple of days ago to officiate a fourth one in 2023!) I’ve also had the humbling privilege of officiating over four funerals.
Yeah, I’m a licensed minister who can officially do those things, but honestly, I feel that I had the honor of doing those things because I am their friend…who just happens to be a minister.
As I’ve said in past writings, you are the only Bible some people will ever read. Live honestly. Live lovingly. Be genuine. God will use you wherever you are. May he bless us all, as we each live out the love Jesus loves us with as well. Amen.
July 14th, 2022, Thurs, 9:11 pm
