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Archived 05/06: A Message From the Pastor
Rev. Alice Ann Bonham
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From the Pastor's Desk --
I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today; I know that he is living, whatever foes may say. I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, and just the time I need him, he's always near.
These are the words to a very popular hymn that we often sing during the Easter Season. It's a great hymn. It's easy to sing. It has a great melody and if you happen to be a "swayer" it's a great song to sway to. But something about it caught my attention, as I was pondering what to write. The first phrase of the hymn is, "I serve a risen, Savior...." I kept hearing that phrase over and over in my head and I got to wondering ~ How do we each serve our Risen Savior? We cheerfully sing this song year after year, but do we hear the words? "I serve a Risen Savior, he's in the world today...." How is Jesus in the world today?In all the world around me I see his loving care, and though my heart grows weary, I never will despair. I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast; the day of his appearing will come at last. Rejoice, rejoice, 0 Christian, lift up you voice and sing eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King! The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find; none other is so loving so good and kind. That last question is actually a little easier for me to answer. Jesus is in the world today through us. After his resurrection on that first Easter, Jesus spent time reminding and teaching the disciples what they needed to know so they could carry on the work of the kingdom. After Jesus' ascension, the task fell to the disciples and ultimately to us. We're here to carry on the kingdom work that Jesus began. And when we get that part right, then we've answered the first question as well. So what can each of us actually do to serve Christ? Anything we can. Each time that we bring even one canned good to the food cupboard we're serving. Each time we pray for those who are in need, or for those with whom we most disagree, we are serving. Each time we forgive someone who has hurt us, in any way, we are serving. Serving does not have to be difficult. We only make it difficult. Serving can be as simple as helping others discover why we are able to forgive someone who has hurt us to as complicated as helping the community of Chester find better ways to deal with conflict. The point is that none of us are exempt from serving ~ not if we call our selves Christian. This Easter season, I invite us all to explore and ponder how Jesus has called us to serve him. For he has indeed called us all. Don't under estimate how each contribution will be used by God. God does work in strange and mysterious ways. After all God used a rough wooden cross, a symbol of abject scorn and disgrace, to bring salvation to us all. In the glory of Christ's cross,
Pastor Alice Ann |
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