Many of my MCC friends have by now heard that Loretta Blackwell has passed from this life into the place Jesus has prepared for her. To say she was a wonderful person would be an understatement. I only knew her for about nine years. Her and Elmer introduced themselves when Kim and I had come up to visit the Brownings less than a year before I came on staff here. They were more than friendly faces and a firm hand shake. Something about them made me feel like they were interested in me; that they cared.
In May of 2000, my family moved to the ‘burg and began serving. During that first week, a disk in my back ruptured and I had to have surgery. My seven day hospital stay helped me get aquainted with Elmer and Loretta. They saw me almost every day. Elmer with his stories and jokes, Loretta with her kind words and comforting presence.
I quickly learned that I didn’t get special treatment from the Blackwells. Coming, caring and comforting was simply who they were. They have changed the flavor of MCC. Their faith in action approach to Christ following has rubbed off on others. I knew I would have to leave early if I was going to beat them to a hospital visit. They knew it was important to show people that they matter to God.
They painted a clear picture of a loving couple too. You could see that from the way they treated each other they were as much in love as ever. The way one would speak about the other was an indicator of the value they placed upon their marriage. Always together.
I wonder if they realized what they were doing? Did they know they were accomplishing much more than the work at hand. They were mapping an easy to follow pattern for those behind to follow. Well done Loretta. I’m sure you have heard those words from Jesus too. Well done!
Several years ago, I was at a conference where the speaker talked about his top 10 list. No it wasn’t a Letterman looking comedy line. He told the group about ten people that he was making an extra effort to reach for Christ. It didn’t mean that other people didn’t matter. It meant that ten people on his list became targets!
I am talking about intentional discipleship. What if you were to come up with a list. How do you create a list. Who is on and who doesn’t make the cut! First, remember the difference is NOT caring and not caring. Take a look at who crosses your path often. Neighbors around you that are not connected to Jesus. Family who are watching your life. Make a list, then pray.
Trust those gentle promptings and whitle it down to ten. Now it’s time to make a plan. These folks are around you already. The list just means you are going to look for opportunities and be ready to take advantage of them. It means you are going to “make” opportunities to develop a relationship. You will find that when you are with someone on your Top 10 list, you are paying attention to your words, your witness.
Go be a difference maker. Do it on purpose. Number 10____________________
My class this past Sunday was in Colossians 1. There was a statement of purpose in verse 28 that has stuck with me. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect (some versions use: mature) in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
Through the years, there has been a subtle shift in philosophy and practice. Maybe “cycle” would describe what I am thinking better. When you look back, you can observe times when the norm in Christianity was contagious faith. The Good News seemed to spill out of believers. Communicating their faith was not the result of complying with an evangelism push their church was doing. It was a byproduct of a growing, real relationship with Jesus. And the Colossian passage is referencing a time when there wasn’t a Bible in every hotel room.
We also observe periods where the faith communtiy was less then dynamic. The church has experienced many cycles when it looked more like a club than the world changers God intended it to be. Measured behavior was valued more than authentic faith, the appearance of the outside rather than the mess that true heart change can create. This part of the cycle is a result of going through the motions.
Paul tells us that the mystery that powers the believer is “Christ in you.” Think about that for a minute. “In you.” Christmas can be described as “God is with us”, but that’s just the beginning. The really good news is “Christ IN you.” What a gift. A relationship that is not confined to weekly visits (though sadly defines many believers walk). And like EVERY relationship, it requires attention.
There is a recipe in our verse for growing that faith.
Proclaim him + admonish one another + teaching everyone = the road to maturity.
Bottom line. You grow best when you take responsibility for your faith and lend a hand along the way.
Tell me what you think.