What a wild season we have had, not just as a state, or a country, but on a global scale there have had a series of events that can only be described as difficult, and painful. People are emotionally hurt, physically hurt, mentally hurt, and for many this pain has also effected them spiritually. People can feel disconnected, anxious, and apathetic about their relationship with Christ because they are so overwhelmed by everything that is happening around them. This reality is one that can be remedied by our spiritual focus for the month of July “SERVE COMMUNITY”. Jesus addresses many issues in His teaching and the mental condition that many find themselves during this current difficulty is one of them.
25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26…….31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:25-34
Don’t worry about the physical things that can make you spin out of control. HOW? Well Jesus is pretty clear in v.33-34 when He asks us to seek FIRST the things of the kingdom. So what does that mean? Well in Luke 11:20 we see Jesus do something the disciples could not do, then he explains why. “The kingdom of God has come upon you”. Jesus casts darkness out of a situation by bringing the kingdom into the situation. Serving the community you live in is a way to bring light into a dark place, the amazing thing is that when we do this we actually heal ourselves in the process. This “community” is made up of your Church, Work, Neighborhood, and City.
When you serve “your community” you are choosing to focus on and see light instead of darkness, and choosing to use tools of the kingdom instead of the world’s tools. This process deepens your roots in the kingdom and strengthens your spirit, this strengthening is so very important because it protects us from the storms of life. When the winds blow… we remain steadfast. So this month find an opportunity to flex your spiritual muscles by providing need.
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY….. BRING THEM LIGHT…. STRENGTHEN YOUR SPIRIT
Grace and Peace,
Dustin B. Cooper
