The World Needs Your Music
When Pat heard that Jim’s health was declining, he wanted to do something for Jim and his wife, Laurel. Pat was good friends with Jim, and they had enjoyed many good times at church and on Jim’s sailboat. Pat decided that he would take his guitar and sing Christmas songs with Jim. Pat’s wife suggested he invite another choir member to go. That choir member invited another choir member. Four of them went to Jim’s and sang Christmas songs from the yard. Pat said Jim had a smile from ear to ear, and you could feel the love! I did not have the honor of knowing Jim, but I do know he loved the choir and had seen him perform in some of the Pine Valley United Methodist Church’s shows!
Pat got a text from Jim’s wife saying they had brought Christmas to all. She said they brought so much joy to both of them. She said Jim had missed choir and his church family so much. Music had always been a part of his life, especially at Christmas, and that had been sorely missed in 2020. She said it was the highlight of the week for them to come and sing.
Of course, Pat said it brought Christmas to them, and they were so blessed by that evening. When we let God use us as a blessing to others, we are always blessed. We are told in God’s Word that when we want to encourage others, we will find an inexpressible joy in the process. 1 Peter 1:8, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” Everyone needs to be encouraged and appreciated, and we have all been given that ability to bless others. God blesses us and makes us a blessing to others.
A week and a half later, Jim went to be with his Lord and Savior. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” When I reached out to Laurel about this blog, she said they had missed their church family so much this year. She said that night’s visit brought such joy and peace. She said it brought the spirit of Christmas and Christ’s gift to us into our hearts. What a blessing to Pat and the others that they acted on what I believe was a nudge from God. They were able to have a wonderful evening of fellowship with part of their church family. Thankfully, Pat did not put this nudge off because God’s never early, never late, but always on time.
God calls us all to be servants. Our Savior spent a large portion of His earthly ministry in the presence of the sick--healing and comforting those who were experiencing hard times. Matthew 20:28, “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus tells us when we demonstrate compassion to the hungry, thirsty, lonely, and sick that we are doing it to Him. People going through a tough time or are homebound can feel neglected or forgotten.
As Pastor Tim reminded us Sunday, we are our brother’s keeper, not just our birth brothers. Genesis 4:9, “‘Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” Yes, we are! We are brothers and sisters in Christ, by the blood of Jesus. We are to set aside our own opinions, personal preferences, and our own pleasures to show love to others. Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
As always, I am so honored to be a part of such a loving and giving church! PVUMC, thanks again for showing us the love of Jesus through your actions! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and having a servant’s heart!