September Note

From Pastor Mark

1 Peter 4:7-11

We are heading into another year of learning and leaning into the promises of God.  One of the many ways we are called to lean into the promises of God is using the spiritual gifts we’ve been given to bring heaven to earth.

Shepherd of the Prairie is so blessed to have nearly 100 people serving on ministry teams.  These teams include, Worship, Property, Community Outreach, Children, Youth and Family, Stewardship, Fellowship, Wellness, Mission and Finance.  Wow…what a blessing!!!

Spiritual gifts: our talents, those things that we love to do, that we do well. These are the things that put us “in the zone.”  Some of us are “in the zone” when we’re caring for others who are sick or lonely. For some, it’s cooking or baking. For some, it’s creativity. For some, it’s business. For some, it’s speaking or writing. For some, it’s solving problems or diffusing conflict. For some, it’s being a welcoming presence.

We all have spiritual gifts that we are called to use as we go about God’s work in the world.

What are your gifts?

How do you use your spiritual gifts in your daily life?

The early Christian church faced tough times. It was their hope and belief that Jesus would return soon, and their suffering will end. You’d expect, given that belief, that they might tend to wait it out, to focus on “life after death” instead of focusing on their neighbor.

But Peter instructs them to love one another, to serve each other and work for God’s Kingdom during all of their time in this life.

God calls us to use our gifts throughout our daily lives. Peter’s words remind me of a poem I read a few weeks ago called “Abou ben Adam” that I would like to share with you

     Abou ben Adam (may there be more like him)

     awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

     And saw, within the moonlight of his room, 

     Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

     An angel, writing in a book of gold.

     Exceeding peace had made Ben Adam bold,

     And to the Presence in the room he said:

     “What writest thou?”

      The vision raised its head,

     And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

     Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”

     “And is mine one?”said Abou.

     “Nay, not so,” Replied the angel.

     Abou spoke more low,

     But cheerily still, and said,

     “I pray thee, then, Write me as one who loves his fellow men.”

     The angel wrote, and vanished.

     The next night It came again,

     with a great awakening light,

     And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

     And lo! Ben Adam’s name led all the rest.

                            – James Henry Leigh Hunt (public domain)

Abu ben Adam found peace by being kind, generous, compassionate, loving, and tender.

Just so, Peter reminds us to model our lives after Jesus, to use the gifts God has provided, and pray for strength to love each other with forgiveness and humility.

Grace and peace to you as you continue to learn, lean into and share the promises of God!

Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark:  pastormark@sotpmail.com