Mark Twain said: “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you discover why.”
Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven.”
We have recently been conducting telephone conversations with our Rejoicing Spirits host sites regarding their efforts to serve. These have been wonderful opportunities for folks to share how it is going, what is currently challenging, what excites them the most, and how we, at Mosaic, might be more helpful partners. These have been positive and uplifting.
For a few host sites, there is disappointment in worship attendance. While it is natural to be discouraged, please know that numbers of people in attendance is not the primary tool to measure success.
Our calling is to share the Gospel – the Good News of God’s saving and life-giving grace through Jesus Christ – as clearly, as impactfully, and as lovingly as we can. Some consistent questions to be asked are:
• Are we reaching out as best we can?
• Do we develop relationships that invite others?
• Do we joyfully share the good news?
C.S. Lewis said: “Discouragement is Satan’s greatest tool.” While asking ourselves these questions, can we live in God’s grace? We need to be able to honestly assess our efforts, change what needs altering, grow what needs more effort, recognize what is having impact, and then celebrate that God has called us to this great task.
In this Easter season, we remember how Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene and the other women with the most life
changing message ever: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and Peter...they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)
Yet, it did not go as Mary and the women hoped: “But when the disciples heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.”(Mark 16:11)
Still the women kept sharing the reality of the resurrected Christ, because we know it today to be true.
Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Your calling is to share God’s Good News. Be careful how you measure your success. God is to be trusted. Keep sharing! Keep rejoicing!
