Do Something!

This last week, I took a member of our church (a man named Kevin) and 5 boys, ages 9-15 (4 of whom were mine) on a missions trip. After Church on Sunday, we loaded up and made our way to the Kiamichi Mountains Christian Mission at Christ’s 40 Acres to do some much needed add-ons and repairs. When we arrived, they put us up in the World Mission Builder’s Lodge, and we settled in for the night with some pizza, some games, and a comfortable night’s rest. Our goal was to do some restoration work on the Honobia Chapel, as well as whatever else may need to be done.

The work began on Monday morning, but since the temperature was below 40, and the wind chill made it worse, we would be working inside. The boys, first, since they are all homeschooled, were to work on their classwork. Amazingly, they got a week’s work worth of work done in one day, and were able to begin work in the Honobia Chapel, painting the siding that would be put up. Kevin, meanwhile, leant his expertise to the director of the mission, Artie Carnes, and was able to not merely provide consultation, but to help efficiently guide the new laundry room being built on to the Christ 40 Acres mess hall.  What began as a day of indoor work turned in to a week-long project that will end up benefiting the mission for years to come. Kevin and the men (they were joined by one of our elders, Randy Posey on Wednesday) got a platform built for the washers and driers, the water and electrical hook-ups for each, the ceiling, the lighting and insulation for the room before the week was done. Meanwhile, after finishing the primer painting on all of the siding for the Chapel, the boys were able to help finish the siding for the new handicap restroom which was going in opposite the new laundry room.

Kevin thanked me at least twice a day for bringing him on the mission, and what is more, he will be partnering with Artie on several more projects, both with the Church and on his own. The boys were all walking taller, speaking of how when they come back for camp, they could show their friends the work they had done (and not only did they get to do some “man work”, but they got to shoot 20-gauge shot guns, and do some target shooting with bows at the end of the week!). We all left, sad to go, but proud that we could participate in the Lord’s work.

I say all of that to say this: we should ALL participate in the Lord’s work. Not everyone has the time or skills to take missions trips, but everyone can do something, whether it is pray, give, or use talents in the local body of Christ. Missions like Kiamichi Mountains Christian Mission need our help, and I would encourage everyone, especially if you’re involved with this mission we support: go on a trip, and take someone with you! There is nothing like being an active participant in the work of the Kingdom! Go visit someone, and take someone with you! Help someone with work around their house and take someone with you! Do some repairs on your local church house, or go to places like Christ’s 40 Acres and use your talents to build in to the Kingdom! Don’t be passive in your faith. Do something with it, and take people with you as you do! It will change your life, strengthen your faith, and encourage people to continue on in the Lord’s work!

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.