Why Christianity Isn’t Working for Some People…

“It is virtually impossible to read the Bible and not see the truth that God expects His people to invest into His kingdom what He has given them, which typically involves other people. In fact, Jesus warns us that if we try to hoard what we have, will lose our lives. Perhaps this is why there are so many who claim to know Christ but whose lives are characterized by an absence of joy and a presence of depression or boredom. Ministering to others is not merely a mandate to “paid professionals.” It is the calling of anyone who claims to be a Christian. In fact, it is often at the intersection of our life with that of another that God does His most remarkable, joyful, and permanent work.”

~Fran Sciacca in To Serve With All Your Strength, p. 38.

Who was that crazy woman?

At about 45 years of age, she wore clothes that were beyond trendy. They looked like clothes teens might wear in music videos, although MTV was still 10 years away.  Her hair was a sight to behold —  jet black against her snow-white skin, it was startling enough, but what really made it remarkable was how she stacked it up on her head, making her four to eight inches taller than she was without it.

We used to say that she played the organ like I would imagine Captain Nemo playing in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Weaving back and forth dramatically.  She played well, and her flamboyant display was captivating at least and entertaining at best.

Somewhere along the way she sensed a call to serve God by teaching the teen Sunday School class — my teen Sunday School class.  She taught us about music, training us to discern when we listened to artists. She taught us to welcome people by welcoming us into her home, for a Christmas youth fellowship. She corrected us when we treated others poorly and she encouraged us when she played volleyball with us.

We were blessed because of her service to the Lord.  I am glad she didn’t miss her calling.

The following sermon speaks of how important it is for you and me not to miss our calling.