May 11, 2020 - Serve with Love and Grace
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“In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. He reached down from on high, he took me; he drew me out of mighty waters.” Psalm 18:6
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Dear Friends, I begin this morning reflecting on our congregation and all God has called us to be, to serve, to do, together. A new day dawns. I’m grateful to know this welcoming community of faith is deep, engaged, full of Christ’s love, active stewards of God’s extraordinary grace. I want you to know that you all remain in my daily prayers as we walk this journey together. I have seen you lead with the compassion of Christ in countless ways through these long weeks. I have seen you find comfort in God’s promise to strengthen us when we are weak. I have seen you respond to the needs of others – neighbors and strangers alike – giving witness to God’s call to help someone else and serve the world God longs to redeem. I have seen you open yourself to love – and share the love you have to give. I have seen you give the gift of vulnerability, allowing others to serve you. I have seen you do the same for many more. When I look to scripture for descriptions of God’s help, what I find there is grace. I see a God who reaches towards those in deepest need, whose ability to help themselves has completely run out...streams of water in the barren desert, manna from heaven in the wilderness, gifts of grace from the God of love. As we wade into a new week, remember that salvation itself is a gift freely offered. Remember, God’s unconditional love is for you. God’s unmerited mercy is for you. God’s grace comes not when we most deserve it, but when we most need it…when all other options have been exhausted and every other avenue closed off. God’s grace comes not because in our strength we have helped ourselves, but because in our weakness we have allowed God to help us through the work of others. We see, feel, experience, and share God’s grace when we help those who cannot help themselves, when we serve those who are in greatest need. In all days ahead, we pray for the courage to trust in God’s grace. To rest in God’s grace. To extend God’s grace. To freely offer God’s grace. New beginnings await us. In this time of uncertainty, waiting, wondering, deciding – let us choose to serve. Let us help those who feel most helpless. Let us help one another. Let us lead with the love and the grace of a God who has sent us. Remember, bring what you have. Ask for what you need. And, rest in the grace of God. With peace and grace, Chris Rev. Christopher A. Henry |
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Second Presbyterian Church
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