Witness Day 3: Still Serving by Emily Hill

"The righteous will bear fruit even when old and gray; they will remain fresh in order to proclaim; "'The Lord is righteous.  HE's my rock' "
                                                                                               –Psalm 92:14-15

I have been a Methodist all of my life.  When a new member joins the church they are asked, "Will you be loyal to the Methodist church with your prayers, presence, gifts and service?"  I had this memorized and didn't even have to look it up in the hymnal (was a little proud of myself-just kidding). 

One Sunday I joined other congregants when a new member joined and, lo and behold, a new word had been inserted into the vow that I was not accustomed to.  The powers that be, or perhaps the bishops that be, had added WITNESS.  Didn't know exactly how I felt about this addition, but I guess I have gotten used to it!

When I think of witness, the first thing that comes to mind is someone going from person-to-person on a beach (insert any other awkward location).  This is something I haven't been called to do or comfortable doing.  As I have gotten a little older and, hopefully, gained Christian maturity, I have come to realize that witness is typically something one observes of another (a noun rather than a verb in grammatical terms).  Perhaps striving to be a good disciple is the best example of witness.  How do we do that?  Living in response to grace is how it has been described.  Wesley's motives for his many pursuits of 'doing good' changed from an effort to earn God's love and forgiveness to living in response to God's grace.  Now I don't think of myself as aged just yet(ha), but the scripture above applies to us all. 

I read a devotional in Upper Room about a lady named Ava who lived in an assisted-living facility.  Ava noticed that small packets of crackers beside each plate in the dining room often went uneaten.  When she began to collect the packets, her friends noticed and began saving them for her.  After she filled a bag, she would call a church member to take it to the community food pantry. 

One day a resident asked Ava with exasperation, "Why do you care? This surely doesn't make a difference".  Ava just smiled and kept on collecting crackers and passing them on.  Hers was a practical, hands-on faith.  Ava may be gone now, but she remains an example of faithful living.  The lesson I learn frfom this sweet story is to look at what's right in front of me(literally) and find a way to help someone in need.

PRAYER: Thank you that by grace we are in union with you through faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Help us today to recognize those in need around us. Amen.

Thought for the Day:Help someone in need

Written by Emily Hill

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