In Response

Why? THAT’S why!

I promise this won’t take long. See? Not even an artsy picture to make the post look longer! The concept that I want to communicate to you today is simple, yet profound.

Time after time, those of us who are unwaiveringly involved and supportive of our churches are asked, “why?” Often times, it is simple to answer this question with “christianese” slogans and saying learned by rote, but sometimes that wont do, particularly when you happen to be the one asking yourself that question.

We all go through times when it is hard to remember why it is we do what we do. If the average tenure for a Pastor in full time ministry is only three years, I can’t imagine that the number could be much higher for volunteers. Ministry is tough work and it is often times emotionally draining. But for some reason, we keep going.

This weekend, billions of people went to church to celebrate Easter. Whether or not they were there because of a deeply felt appreciation for the work of Christ or because their calendar told them that Easter was on Sunday isn’t important. The important thing is that they were there, and we had a chance to facilitate their encounter with the living God. I haven’t heard any official numbers from Champions Centre yet, but one thing is for certain; thousands upon thousands poured into our doors and I’m sure that the number of salvations has to be more that 200.

The part that I play, no matter how seemingly insignificant, works as a part as a finly tuned life-changing machine. Countless droves of people met their savior yesterday. And all of us who were at church at 6:15 AM ‘till the doors were locked in the late afternoon all played a part in that. What else can you do in this life that comes close to the feeling of helping people find thier eternal hope?

(O.k. so I AM including a picture after all. Please for give me.)

I took this picture before our Saturday night service. I was moved to tears when I saw the number of people who had come through our doors. They were looking for hope and they were about to find it. I carry this picture with me in my wallet. To remind me and others of why I do what I do. If they (or I) ask “why?”, I’ll that the picture out and say, “THAT’S why.”