Scattered
I was sitting on the front lawn of the church I attend a few days ago. We were having a potluck meal and time of connecting after Sunday service amidst the summer season. Two houseguests from overseas had joined me that day and I was sharing about various members of the congregation. Not being shy they had already met and had conversation with others on their own.
Our congregation like most in New England numbers around 100 each week. As I chatted with my guest about our congregation, I shared how I loved all we represent. Young and old, a wide range of cultures, new and long-time Christ followers, skilled laborers, retirees, and those holding multiple educational degrees working in a wide range of fields.
In that moment all I could think of was the word, scattered. I saw with new impact the words of Acts 1:8. Across the lawn of the church were the hands and feet of Christ. The living words of scripture held in the lives of those sitting, standing, or climbing the center tree. I began to think about all the places the lives of these few individuals would go over the course of the next week.
Extended family, summer school, food pantry, secular jobs of all kinds, the grocery store, playdates, a bike race, a visit in the home of refugees, a funeral, lunch with co-workers, doctor’s appointments, sports fields, poolside, English class, vacations, Bible studies, a weekend mission trip, chats with neighbors, the list goes on.
Then I wondered if we see ourselves - the local church body - the way Christ sees us?
Do we see the plan He has for the week ahead? Every day, all day, all week.
“In the midst of our agendas and our own desires, God calls us to join Him and allow Holy Spirit to use our lives to be His witnesses. Grace abounds.”
I wondered if we, the group walking and talking to one another on the lawn, see ourselves as the body of Christ. The potential of eternity changing moments in front of us over the next week. The opportunity to bring comfort, encouragement, truth in love, empathy, joy, and salvation. The occasion to deliver food, teach English, share a meal, say a prayer, hold a hand, share a smile.
Was the message we had just heard about prayer a preparation for the week ahead? Do we see the power and potential of Holy Spirit in our lives as that body of believers? Lessons from a week of camp about God’s armor still guiding us?
Verse 6 leading up to Act 1:8 reflects where we may often find ourselves. “Is it time for us to get some relief Lord? Is the good stuff around the corner for us Lord?” Then in verse 7, Jesus reminds us that He himself is under the authority of His Father and that it is God who sets the day and hour for eternity. WOW.
Then there’s the beautiful word that graces me and you, but. In the midst of our agendas and our own desires, God calls us to join Him and allow Holy Spirit to use our lives to be His witnesses. Grace abounds.
May the Baptist Churches of New England and believers across this region see moment by moment, day by day, and week by week all that is set before us as His light and salvation.
“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, ‘Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?’ He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” -Acts 1:6-8
Allyson Clark serves as Next Generation Co-Director of Youth Ministries at the Baptist Churches of New England.
