... I had some time to read, pray, and think.
I came across this instruction from Paul:
"And finally, brethren, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with all of you."
(2 Thessalonians 3:1)
As I read these words, Oak Cliff was happening around me. Joggers with iPods and expensive running shoes passed by food-service workers on their way to the bus stop. Dumpster divers hunted for their daily treasure. Cars ranging from rolling wrecks to high-end luxury machines cruised by. Every skin tone, line of work, and tax bracket co-exists here and all hold one thing in common: every one of them, just like every one of us, needs the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church can never be satisfied with the fact that our members- our brothers and sisters in the Gospel- have found faith. Compassion for others and a hunger to share God's love should drive us to pray and yes to work to spread the Good News.
It is impossible to share our testimony with too many people.
It is impossible to show too much compassion by addressing the physical and emotional needs of the people we meet everyday.
We will never run out of people to befriend, to invite to Church, to make time for, to love with the love of God in Christ.
Tyler Street UMC is alive with faith- and we should praise the Lord for it just as Paul praise the God for the faith of the Thessalonians. Yet even as we praise, let us remember that the cause of Christ is still advancing in this world and God's work is not done. Now is the time for renewed zeal for spreading the Gospel to all kinds of people. May we be faithful to the task at hand.
Grace and peace,
John
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