Go Beyond

Blended by God ABF

Over the past five years, Kingsland’s missions ministry has mobilized thousands of volunteers to serve the people of our community. Our weekend warriors generally serve on most Saturdays of the year. Our teams have assisted people from one end of Houston to the other and served in every kind of weather that Houston has to offer — from the hottest to the coldest and everything in between. This past weekend was more than a little chilly when Jon Davis, our missions ministry associate, and I loaded supplies into our Go Beyond trailer for our workday at the Katy Christian Ministries community garden. Our missions ministry provided the funds to create this garden that yields fresh produce that is distributed to people in need by the KCM Food Pantry.

As I said, this past Saturday was a bit on the cold side. However, Jon and and I were encouraged when we arrived at the garden to find that the members of Kingsland’s Blended by God Adult Bible Fellowship had arrived early. The cold did not keep them away. They were bundled up, sipping on coffee, and ready to work. Our team wasted no time in moving ten yards of crushed granite to build up the paths around the vegetable beds and then spread five yards of mulch on adjacent beds. It didn’t take long for everyone to work up a sweat and shed their coats. Our team did their work in record time. I personally enjoy our weekend service initiatives because they give me an opportunity to meet more of the Kingsland family, like the hard-working folks in the Blended by God group. I am always encouraged by the cheerful work of our team members, especially on days when it is hotter or colder or wetter than usual.

Working in spite of the weather is important. I am not a big sports fan but I do admire certain athletes, among them NBA great Jerry West who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers. His silhouette is featured in the NBA logo. West once said, “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.” He was right. And, to turn West’s phrase, “You can’t get much done for the kingdom if you only work on days when the weather is pleasant.” A.W. Tozer, one of my historical mentors, said that the kingdom of God does not advance at our convenience but at our inconvenience. Tozer was also right. I am grateful for Kingsland’s all weather weekend warriors who faithfully serve our community in spite of the weather. Anybody can serve on pleasant days. However, serving others on less than pleasant days makes a strong statement about our determination to love God and love people. Because of groups like the Blended by God ABF, we are off to a good start in 2011. May our light continue to shine before others in such a way that they see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). I hope that you will join the ranks of Kingsland’s all weather weekend warriors this year!