Vol 6 No 24 - The Most Important Thing is that They Lived

"The important thing, gentlemen, is that they lived."

When I got home from the National Guard crawfish boil last night (kudos to all who answered the call to help out in a few hours notice), she was finishing a movie which ended with the above quote.  I found out after the fact it was a Cinderella story and the words were said at the conclusion of a thought about it wasn't important if they lived happily ever after.  Ever since I heard these words, I cannot get them out of my head, for I think it captures well the calling of the church.

As you have heard me say over the past few weeks as our area has made preparations for the water and served as hosts for the National Guard, the essential thing is that we live out our Christian faith in all walks of life, whether done in the name of the church or not.  I continue to be convinced that all of your acts of love and charity during this time, personally and professionally, are a reflection of the love and grace of God placed within you by the Holy Spirit.  Some have cooked, some have hauled, others have made resources from their business available, still others have prayed - no matter what, make no mistake about it, you are doing God's work.  You are being the church in action to a community and people in need.

In other words, you, the church, have lived.

And I am also convinced that you, the church, have lived because of the routine work of prayer, study, fellowship, and, most importantly, worship that is part of our being the body of Christ.  You have been prepared for these uncertain days because of the life you have lived within the community of faith.  Being a regular part of the body of Christ in all its activities is what strengthens us for doing God's work in people's time of biggest need.

You, the church, have lived, and that, dear friends, is the truly important thing.