Two reflections from Wednesday Night's Community Supper
Smiles & Space
I have often read from various authors on relationships and communication that it only takes us a few seconds to size someone up in our minds from the moment we first meet them. In one instance I remember reading (I apologize for the lack of reference, as it was several years ago that I read this; I did search but to no avail) that within 14 seconds of meeting a new person we will have decided in our subconscious mind whether or not we would desire to continue a deeper relationship with that person.
If that is true, then it took even less time for me to make that determination about a family I met last night. Those of you who were at the community dinner hosted by the Oasis House Churches probably had the opportunity to meet Smiles and Space Welch and their three boys: Forest, Eli, and Simon. They are from Arcata, California and Smiles is the worship leader at Sunny Brae Church in Arcata, and Space works with the children's ministry there. They are genuinely God-centered people with a passion for Christ.
So why, you may be wondering, did they come all the way from California to Meigs County just to share in our community supper? Well, that was not the only reason why they were here, but it is a significant one nonetheless. Interestingly, Smiles and Space have been praying for Oasis for about a year now. They found us through the internet. One day they stumbled upon our web site, and they began reading the articles, listening to the sermons and the songs, and God drew their hearts to us and they began praying for the work here in southeastern Ohio. Part of their story (which is an amazing one that I will have to let Smiles share with you sometime), is that through many travels they have come through Athens on a number of occasions. Nine years ago God began to stir their hearts to plant a church in Athens, and they have been praying and preparing for that day ever since. Through what I will proclaim as the divine providence of God, Smiles was led to Oasis via the bethechurch web site. From there he made contact with me by email and we had a couple of conversations before meeting face-to-face last night. Smiles and Space were traveling east to take part in the wedding of his mother in Maryland, and while there he will also baptize his sister. What a great blessing!
There was a very cool connection between the Welch family and the Oasis family last night. They are "Oasis" people. And I know why. It's because they are "God" people. Smiles shared with me that his greatest passion is to make the sovereignty of God known in all of his life. That's the foundation for the bond we felt. It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit has a way of creating a stronger bond in individuals than anything else is capable of. That has to be why God calls His people a family. We could have absolutely NOTHING else in common, but if the presence of God is in our souls through faith in Christ then there is a commonality that is stronger and closer than any other bond. It meshes people in a way that only God can do. All of a sudden, strangers are considered brothers. What a great kingdom we live in. Even better, what a GREAT KING we have!
Joyful Service Motivated by Love
Through this event, what I saw in people like Peg Brickles, Cathy Erwin, and so many others who were instrumental in making the community supper happen, was true JOY in serving. This joy comes not from a motivation of duty, meaning, they felt obligated to do something for the community on behalf of Jesus. I saw in their eyes and in their diligence to serve, a love and a passion to share the grace of Christ through a meal and taking time to make conversations with people. The reason I point this out is because this is where all service must come from. Love for Christ is what must motivate our service. Love for CHRIST. Yes, we must love people also. But it must not be the motivation behind what we do, because eventually there will be a day when our love for people may not be enough to motivate us to serve them. When we serve out of love for Christ, then the service is done with true joy, and it will never cease.
I pray that last night is just the beginning for Oasis and this particular kind of ministry. I don't know how many people came to the dinner last night, but it was more than I anticipated. And with every dip of a ladle, with every plate carried to a table, there was this awesome sense that we were serving Christ. What a blessing it is to serve our great KING! And what an amazing bond He creates in His kingdom.
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