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<<First Name>>
I confess, every year my garden looks great until this week. After the 4th of July the excitement of seeing things grow fades and the weeds begin to take over. The middle season is just not as exciting as the early days when I would walk the garden every day looking for signs of new life. It’s not like the harvest season when I can pick the fruits of my labor. No, the middle of summer is full of weeds, bugs, and high humidity. But the middle season is also growing season.
Coming back from camp this past weekend brings both a level of anxiety and some relief. I feel anxious realizing a good chunk of my summer has already passed, yet I feel some relief knowing I have just made it through one of the busy sprints of the summer. I believe God gives us seasons like summer for a reason, and no, it’s not just our reward for surviving a Minnesota winter. Summer is a great opportunity to slow down, to rest, and draw closer to God. That’s why we have begun summer with our series, A Summer to Remember, hopefully helping you make the most of the opportunities you have.
The weedy season of my garden is not my favorite. I don’t mind pulling the thistles, but it seems like an endless battle some days. There are so many things I would rather be doing, more important things than pulling weeds. Yet, it’s the very thing that will make a big difference on the outcome of my garden.
Do you ever look at things in life and say, “I’m too busy for that?” Are there tasks you sometimes feel are below your abilities? In our key text this week, the Apostle Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonica. This important, prominent city was home to many wealthy citizens. The thought of pulling weeds would have been well below them, for manual labor was something for others to do, something for those of a lower class or even slaves. Yet Paul commends the church for their service, saying, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As Christians, we serve not to earn God’s favor, but because God has loved us. We work with faith, recognizing God has called us to use our gifts and talents for his Kingdom. Our labor is motivated by love, because when we serve others in love it is a witness to our faith. And we can endure for the long haul because we keep the end in mind, trusting that Jesus will one day return and grant us eternal life. So, even though we may be entering a weedy season of our lives, may you continue the hard work of faith, serving one another with faith, hope and love as you grow in your faith.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Gordon
Action Steps this week:
- Consider, what motivates you to serve? Has God given you gifts and talents you can use to build His Kingdom? How might serving others help you grow in your faith?
- Do three acts of kindness or service for others this week. Look for ways you can be a blessing and help others.
- For Reflection: What season are you entering? Are there a few weeds that need pulling in your life? Is there anything that might be holding you back or preventing you from reaching your fullest potential?
PS. We will be back at the Elementary School this Sunday! See you at 10 am.
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