“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

“Do Jesus’ followers, also called “the body of Christ,” have what it takes to make a difference in the world? Well, think about this: First, Jesus continues to live and breathe through us. Second, as we act, the love of Christ spreads into new corners of the world. We don’t need the time and ambition of [these] [guys] with the [extended phone coverage.] Mother Teresa, a humble woman who gave much of her own life to help the poor, said we as Christians cannot do great things, but little things with great love.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Even Sore Thumbs Are Useful

Did you ever hit your thumb with a hammer? Did you ever get your hand stuck in a car door or pinch your finger in a tight space? It hurts – a lot. I was carrying my daughter Leah down the steps one morning when my right foot turned under me and my big toe broke in many small pieces. I heard the crunch – and poor Leah went tumbling down the steps. She was ok, but my big toe swelled up to the size of two big toes. And it hurt a lot. We often don’t realize how important our “digits” are until we slam one in a car door.

As Laurie Hanson says in the little snippet above, it does not take texting the entire New Testament to be messengers for G-d. As Mother Theresa says, it takes doing little things out of love of our neighbor and love for G-d. Just living our lives with these principles, with Jesus as our teacher is a small step toward being a messenger for G-d. Of course, if you want to tweet or text out a message for G-d once in a while, that is also a good idea. You have no idea who you may encourage and entice toward the love of G-d.

Let us pray,

Creator of the first text, show me where I belong in the body of Christ, and how my words, actions, love, talents, and time can make your amazing love real for others. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“Frogs are made for leaping, while humans don’t seem quite as, well, springy. To us, a leap of faith can look like a solo bungee jump without a net-and who wants a crash landing? But a leap of faith never takes us beyond the reach of God’s loving arms. The God of the universe, who gives life and faith, is not going to abandon us during times of growth and challenge. God is with us all the way! That calls for leaping.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

You Don’t Need Frog’s Legs to Leap for G-d

You do not need frog’s legs to take a leap of faith. You only need the will and the trust to take the first jump. I remember going camping as a kid right after the movie Jaws came out in theaters. Our camp site was next to several other families we all knew – and our sites had a large creek running by with a deep hole for swimming. All of the kids had seen the movie, and no one was willing to be the first to jump into the swimming hole, to take a leap of faith because of that movie and the famous shark. I know someone braver than I did in fact go into the water eventually and soon all of us were jumping into the water.

Faith can sometimes feel as if you are jumping into shark infested waters. Believing on things we cannot see and trusting our G-d who is more mysterious than tangible can leave us all feeling a little jittery once in a while. But through the Holy Spirit we learn to take those leaps as our trust and faith grows throughout our lives. It is the Holy Spirit that not only gives us the courage to take those leaps of faith, but also propels us to do acts of love in the name of that same faith.

Remember, you do not need frogs legs to take a leap of faith – only the willingness to jump.

Let us pray,

Oh Lord of leaping, we don’t want to tiptoe or to run in place for our faith. Give me the faith and the trust to leap into action to serve you and others! Amen.

Pastor Dave