As I sit in my office on Monday I am thinking about you and a passage from God's Word comes to mind,I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)
Three key words jump out at me:
Remember: Inherent in the word "remember" is the fact that other people become the object of our thinking. This means that we are not so self absorbed that others have no place in our every day musings. When our minds are occupied with so many thoughts about ourselves there is little room left for thoughts of others. This is a tragedy because we owe so much of our success to someone else's influence on our lives.
Joy: What emotion comes to your mind when you think of others is very important. I wouldn't waste my time thinking about people who stirred up anger, resentment, bitterness or jealousy. If those thoughts invade your spirit then confess your frustration to God and move on by eliminating those people out of your memory bank. God created relationships in part to bring joy, nor sorrow, into our lives. This is how I feel when I think about Calvary Church. You are a delight to me and I thank God that I feel joy when you come to mind.
Partnership: Finally there is the enterprise of partnership. God didn't intend for us to go through life alone. We need other people. The New Testament teaching on the church is clear that it is not a one-man show. The church is compared to a body with many parts, and each part plays a vital role (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Paul uses the term "indispensible" when writing about the need for one another in the body.
When I opened your 4th anniversary gift on Sunday I was overwhelmed--overwhelmed by your generosity, overwhelmed by your love, overwhelmed by God's grace in allowing me to be your pastor, overwhelmed by your friendship. I know you love me; I know you love my family; I just want you to know that I love you.
I have been saving for a guitar and now I can go to the store. You have provided what I needed to get the job done. Thank you so much for being an instrument in God's hand to bless me.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
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