A Recipe for Service
I’m used to reading blogs about recipes that look appetizing and easy to incorporate into our weekly schedule. So, I’ll stick to what I know and talk food…my favorite thing.
Some of the best recipes take time, patience and a lot of love. Some of my favorites include a chicken and pasta recipe complete with almonds and mushrooms or one of my all-time favorite desserts, grasshopper pie. Between making the homemade fudge topping and letting each layer freeze, it’s one of the most time-consuming recipes but so worth the wait.
Like many of our favorite recipes, each one of us is unique and special. This past year I’ve had the pleasure to work with 17 students who have been created and shaped by the hands of our Creator, with a special purpose in the body of Christ. It was so much fun to take a spiritual gifts inventory with them because I got to watch as ‘who they are’ connected with ‘what He has in store’.
Picture for yourself the number of people our students come in contact with daily: friends who share common enjoyments, classmates they sit next to but have nothing in common with, staff who share their wealth of knowledge and wisdom but may or may not have faith…etc. The list goes on! They meet with more non-Christians in one hour than I do in one day! What does that mean for me and for you? It’s a part of our call and responsibility to nurture and affirm that which God is already doing in our students…who ARE the church!
I think about Paul and his conversion, because his spiritual gifts were always there! He was passionate, he had a way with words and went forward with full gusto! God was waiting for the right time to turn those gifts towards building His kingdom. It wasn’t because he reached a certain age of maturity or experience, God called him and that was that.
As we work to serve our church and our community, I implore you to look beyond your circle of friends and seek out the hearts and hands of our students; to make a difference and serve Christ with you.
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 12-14
Join me in praying for our 17 members of the body of Christ, as they continue their journey as Christ’s own, called and sent to serve His kingdom.
From top left: Lauren Mattson, Nathan Bleeker, Marcus Helland, Parker Stansbury, Bennett Dannenbring, Rube Webb, Mary Steffen. Middle Row: Ashley Currier, Kelsie Gehrels, Seth Peters, Nolan Jessen, Tyler Duin, Maria Larson Bottom Row: Madison Monson, Kiah Boetel, and Sydney Hieb.
