Go Beyond

Singles Pastor Brian Stone and daughter Julia

This has been a busy year for our missions ministry. We are on track to end the year with more than 3,500 volunteers having served on local and international initiatives. Our children represent a significant number of those who have served the people of our community. One of the things I enjoy most about our local initiatives is seeing kids serve alongside their parents. Unless parents take the initiative to intentionally involve their kids in serving others and in setting an example of service, their kids are not likely to learn the value of serving others. Serving others is a great antidote to the selfishness and sense of entitlement that infects and affects so many kids. So, kudos to every parent and child who served the people of our community together this year. In addition to all of the other memories that you are making with your kids, thanks for helping your kids to have great memories of serving people in need.

I am grateful for every parent who showed up at our weekly service initiatives with their kids — kids of every age. Making a difference for the kingdom must begin at home. God entrusted parents with the primary responsibility of teaching their children about Him and about His purposes (Ps. 78:1-8). However, we will not make much of a difference for the kingdom of God or in the lives of our kids if we stay at home and never get out and serve the people of our community. If we are not careful, staying at home may actually work against God’s purposes. We must teach our kids that incarnational living is a key component of a Biblical worldview. And, incarnational living is a key component to showing God’s love to a skeptical and needy world.

Last October, I posted a blog entitled Graves of the Living in which I noted this quote from John Piper’s book,“Don’t Waste Your Life” — “No one will ever want to say to the Lord of the universe five minutes after death, I spent every night playing games and watching clean TV with my family because I loved them so much.” Piper continues, “I think the Lord will say, ‘That did not make me look like a treasure in your town. … Even sinners work hard, avoid gross sin, watch TV at night, and do fun stuff on the weekend. What more are you doing than the others?’” Indeed, what more? What makes us distinctive? What kind of example of selfless service that takes us beyond the comforts of home are we setting for our children? Let’s never allow the comforts of home keep us from taking God’s love to those outside of our home.

Thanks again to every parent who got their kids up early on Saturday mornings to spend the day serving people in need. And, thanks to every kid who helped to paint homes, plant flowers, spread mulch, pick up garbage, deliver groceries, help the homeless, sing to the elderly, and so much more. You made a difference in the lives of others. And one day, you will look back and realize that God made a difference in your hearts because you served others in His name. Always remember that when we work our muscles, God builds our hearts. Thank you for serving!