'Bout Midnight - James McCabe

Acts 16:2525

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

As we give thought to this scripture, can we place ourselves with Paul and Silas? Maybe we could imagine back to the last time we were in prison, shackled, just after a good flogging to cleanse the mind, keeping an eye on the rats, and wondering just what that aroma was, but not really wanting to know.

It’s ‘bout midnight, but unlike Paul and Silas, in my weakness I don’t feel like it’s a good time for worship. In my weakness, it does not feel like it would be a good time to minister to the other prisoners.

Oh, merciful Father that I could be strong enough to worship and minister like Paul and Silas.

I wonder how long it took Paul and Silas to turn to God in this situation. Hmm, being Paul, it was probably pretty quick.

I confess: I am not that good. To me, it seems I spend entirely too much time on doing everything in my considerably limited power before turning to God in my trials and tribulations. I’m afraid I would have been consumed with fear, I would have been dominated by the pain, I would have been complaining, I would have been feeling very sorry for myself, I would have been conspiring to escape, I would not have given a second thought of those around me.

Then sometime after I had gone through my complete repertoire of selfishness. After I had worn myself out, sometime after I fell quite, after I became still, and after I finally turned to look for Him, He would be there. I can sense Him shaking His head, wondering why it always takes me so long to let The One who can calm any storm, calm my storm. He is there, waiting for me yet again. Waiting for me to open my heart, and mind so he can take over. Then He lifts me, gives me strength, and reminds me to help others.

Too often distractions, interruptions, inconsequential problems, and the like derail us from our focus on Christ, and in doing so they can disrupt our time of prayer, disrupt our time of worship or ministry. Delay us in getting our mind where it should be. Delay us in getting to the choice of Christ.

Father, You chose me, You made me, and You love me. Dear God help me focus on You no matter the situation I’m in, help me choose You first, and look to You first. Lord, please give me strength that I may seek You in all things as my first action, then to serve You in helping others.

May His Grace & Peace be on you and yours

Community

Community
By
James McCabe

How is your community? More specifically, how is your church community? There is a lot of talk today about the "state of the church" and Christianity, and while growth requires reflection and analysis, I would like to present a few words that are not so ethereal.

The "state of the church" may or may not be "the glass is half empty or half full" kind of discussion. Furthermore, I understand nothing is perfect and there is always room for improvement. However, we have witnessed an outpouring of love from our church, that is humbling in its expression of Gods work and the hope that it builds. It is awe-inspiring to see that from our elders down to our youth, our church "gets it." Our church embodies community, and I'll submit that even if yours is an embattled church, there is community in there that "gets it" too.

As I've matured I've learned some about church. I've learned some about serving, about giving. I've learned a lot more then I would have preferred on receiving, and in the process, been enveloped by an incredible "community."

Those who know me have seen anything but the Norman Rockwell-ian journey over the last years. As my family has grown closer to God, as we have become more involved in church, as we have deepened our commitment, like others, our "worldly" journey has gotten tougher and tougher. The chronology of events, in my life, shows so well the intertwining of blessing and problem that you just have to shake your head sometimes. Each time we move closer to God, a new crisis moved in as well. With each opportunity to serve, with each commitment to ministry, a worldly problem would pop up...a business would fail, a lengthy hospitalization, more income interruption, more illness and so on and so on.

However, through it all, He was there. Through it all, our Gracious Father has carried us and through the community of our church He has done some of His great work.

Soon after our daughter announced her wedding, my wife was hospitalized yet again, this time for almost 2 months. A number of the ladies at church got together and made it their mission to do all the things that need to be done for a wedding. They sponsored a tremendous shower; they helped with the facility planning. They went with our daughter for her dress fitting, shoe shopping, menu selection, to decide on flowers, spent time with her, and loved on her. All the while, the ladies were visiting my wife, calling her, encouraging her, and loving her. As we go through this incredibly difficult time, not a day goes by without phone calls, encouragement cards and notes, meals, and prayers. Our community of ladies is a blessing and surely a work of the Holy Spirit.

Our entire church community has "grabbed us up" to care for us, they love on us continually, and they care for us. The elders and staff check on us and we are prayed for and prayed with. Whenever there is a particularly dark moment, most assuredly comes a phone call, an encouraging email, a note or gift. We are both humbled and proud to be a part of such a phenomenal church family. We are so appreciative of everyone there. God has created our church community and it most surely pleases him.

So how are things at your church? Maybe better than you think. My supposition is there are indeed groups of Christ followers loving on each other. That there are indeed people working to walk like Jesus. That the Holy Spirit is alive and well, working in your community, shaping, molding, and building those to serve Him. Do you know your community? Are you a part of your community? Are you blessing others? Your journey is as much a ministry as any other. Your opportunity to make a difference is as great as anyone's is. You can make a difference, and you do make a difference. Is it a good one? Is it a good difference? Even if your journey is difficult right now, the way you handle it makes a difference, the way you react to adversity makes a difference. Are you "plugged in" to your church? Are you "reaching in" to be a part of Gods work? Are you serving our Lord?

Romans 12
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act of worship.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

God has given each of us different gifts and the commission to bless others with them. Take a moment today to bless someone with your gift. Send a card or give someone in need an encouraging word and bless him or her. Take time today to walk in His light, and be blessed in your service to Him.

Father, you have blessed us beyond imagination with our church family, and I thank you for all you have done. Lord, help me to be a blessing to others that somehow I can raise them up as my church has done for my family. That I may strengthen them as my church has done for me. Lord God, please forgive my sins and bless me by allowing me to serve you and my brethren. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Dedicated to the Southeast Church of Christ
copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved