Daily Thought for Thursday 3rd April 2025
“ …he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
Philippians 2.22
Serving together
Peter Wood
Paul’s fondness for Timothy is evident.
One of the joys in the Christian life is getting to know sisters and brothers with whom we find ourselves serving in the local church. They can teach us so much. They help us to see. They balance the particular and peculiar tendencies of our personality so that a fuller more accurate picture may be seen of the task in hand or of the community around us. Through the ups and downs of life growing together in love is such a joy.
A few years ago I was a parish minister working with a great small church team. We had come from different places, had varied backgrounds and held different theologies. There was Hugh, who was great with buildings and who brought us back to prayer regularly. Coming from the Brethren his fierce theology was tricky at times – such as when he asked a husband of an attender to take off his baseball cap before entering the church centre – but his commitment to pray at all times was beautiful and helped us get beyond our activism.
Then there was Brenda, a midwife who found herself acting as an administrator. Although the task was at times challenging what a brilliant social evangelist she was. She had her ear to the ground of what was being said at the school gate and in the local pub. She knew everybody! Often after a lively discussion as a group we would return to Brenda’s thoughts as the starting point for any action as that was indeed where people were at in their thinking.
Then there was Mike, who worked with young people both in the church and in the community. He helped us get beyond ourselves so that we could really partner other organisations for the betterment of the whole community. He stopped us taking ourselves too seriously and helped us recognise that it was God’s church, not ours.
Thinking of those with whom you serve: who do you give thanks for? What have they taught you about life and faith?
Shall we pray?:
Loving God, forgive me when I get frustrated with those with whom I work. Help me to see afresh the gifts that my sisters and brothers bring. And, together, may we know the joy of serving in your Kingdom. Lead us, Lord, beyond our individuality and flawed theology into a community of generosity and grace. Amen.