I just wanted to write you all briefly to tell you how encouraged I was by the joy and tireless service of Christ's people yesterday at church.
I woke up at 6:00am and opened my windows to see freezing conditions and fairly strong snowfall. According to the weather reports I heard the snow was supposed to have let up Thursday so I used the bad weather as a justification for grumbling and I allowed unrighteous discouragement in my heart.
I drove through the snow and slippery roads to the HQ/Office still muttering to myself. Upon arrive I was shocked to see John Bender hard at work putting chains on his truck’s tires and Ed Jones readying the AV Trailer for transport. They were both full of hope and joy! Pastor Steve arrived at the HQ and upon seeing Ed and John’s progress declared, “We’re going to have Church and people are going to get saved today!”
Instead of repenting right there for my grumbling, complaining, and unbelieving attitude, I thought that even if we got the trailer to the church nobody would show up in this horrible weather.
God changed my unbelieving heart when we drove up into the Marshall Middle School parking lot. Far from seeing the parking lot totally empty and covered in snow, there was cheering, smiling, excited people who had woken up early and driven through the snow just to set-up church! People were shoveling snow, laying down salt, and rejoicing in the opportunity to worship Jesus together with their church family.
As I helped unload the AV trailer, I can remember hearing someone say something that I think summed up the overwhelming feeling that snowy morning, “Jesus will build his church!”
I’m overwhelmed by the hope, joy, and love people expressed in my follow Christians faithful service last Sunday. Thank you God for giving his church a deep commitment to cooperate worship gatherings regardless of the weather!
