“Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough.” (Matthew 5:37 Modern English Version)
Yesterday, our church successfully fed 120 homeless people, downtown, outside in the dark and the cold. This missionary endeavor would not have turned out so well without our members keeping their word or shall we say keeping their promises to do some part of what was needed to make this missionary effort a success. On top of a food feeding, there was a living, scriptural feeding in a twofold way The physical feeding consisted of a variety of chips, potato salad, sloppy joe sandwiches, and bottled water. The scriptural feeding,, at a minimum, consisted of five things: (1) We know we have passed from death to life because we love the brothers and the sisters. (2) We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as Jesus described us. (3) We showed an awareness that when you do it to the least of these, you do it unto Jesus. (4) All things are possible with God. (5) Your word should not be characterized by empty promises.
Members who said they would contribute items, they did just what they said. Members who agreed to support our monthly endeavor by giving above their tithes and offerings they did just what they said. The coordinator whose heart was in it, she not only played a key leadership role in regard to this feeding. She did what she said she would do. The Assistant Pastor did everything he said he would do, with his wife by his side. Those who signed up to serve, showed up. Their church titles did not get in the way. They did just what they said. It did not matter what they were going through personally. It did not matter that they were facing tough times or even grief. It did not matter if other members would understand if they did not make it for the serving. It did not matter that they would be in contact with people who may or may not have been vaccinated for all the viruses plaguing our nation and the world. It did not matter that with the time change, it was dark outside, and Satan could have helped them justify not going. They did what they said they would do! God bless them all!
Now, being honest, I had said I would cook the sloppy joe meat. It did not seem like it would take all that much time, but it did take three, plus hours. Now I know what people are thinking on the home decoration shows where the benefactors of a newly designed kitchen are so ecstatic, excited, and extremely pleased about having a new stove with four full burners. I only had two full size ones. But I kept my word. One of the Deaconesses called to see if I needed any help. I replied that I had a system, and I would get it done. I was not being stubborn, just sticking with my promise to do the task I said I would do. Oh, in case you are wondering if I left the kitchen a mess, the answer is “No!” I had it cleaned up right away; two skillets, one strainer, one pan for grease drainage, one pan to empty sloppy joes in while waiting to be packed in aluminum pans, all the utensils, and I discarded all the empty cans and packages the meat and mix came in. Even doing the latter was to adhere to my words that one was not done until the cleanup was complete. Nevertheless. like the rest of the “team” I kept my word.
The lesson for us today is simple. We have made many promises to the Lord; promised to serve Him until we die, promised that we would never go back to doing something that we have conquered with the Lord’s help, promised that if the Lord brought us out, we would do this or that. We have promised to live by His principles and precepts. We have promised to go ye therefore and make disciples. Come on now! You know we have! But the question that only you can answer is, “Are your promises being fulfilled or are your promises empty words?” Think about it and when you have finished thinking, decide how your way of acting will be changed, improved. Good things happen when your promises are not empty words. Finally, know that your service is a gift to God, and it is better to keep your promise than not keeping it. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Be blessed!
“A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.” (Proverbs 25:14 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King