Hearing to Doing in a Moment

Look who's blogging!  I know.  It has been forever, but I had a story that I wanted to share.  So here it is...
A gentleman walked into our church last Sunday.  Upon entering, he knocked on the door of our leadership study group... interrupting our adult class. Oh my goodness! There was ministry knocking at the door, interrupting our time of talking. So I went out; talked to the gentleman and found out that he had some challenges, mental and circumstances of his life. He seemed kind of confused but he had a note which he shared with me. The note, which had been written by someone else, explained his situation somewhat. I’ll tell you what happened next, though.

Saints of the church came; people in hallways just stepped forward and engaged that moment of ministry. I didn’t have to ask for anything. The Spirit of God came and right away I had someone behind me just being there as a supportive presence, allowing me to minister to that individual.  And when I needed help, that person behind me was a helper to us. That person was another hand of Christ in the mix with me.  And then several more of the Lord's saints started coming out of the woodwork. One person was walking down the hallway and asked, “Can I help?” They knew nothing or maybe they heard some of the conversation. I have no idea, but they just came forth and said “Can I help? What can I do?”

This person at our doorstep had just a few simple requests.  In his state of mind, he simply had someone that they cared about who needed diapers for their baby and needed food.  He was worried about them because they had helped him and he saw their need.  It was the author of his original note... the one that explained his circumstances.  This person in our church hallway, this person of limited ability, both mental and physical had walked across town to come here and ask for diapers and food. And he was able to get that for his friend! He was able to receive that because saints of the church were all around. Hands and feet were in motion all over the church to gather needed supplies.  Another person starting calling around to get him connected to services and other help.  I didn’t have to babysit the situation as pastor because there were saints of the church there; because the Holy Spirit was there.

It would have been so easy to say “I’m sorry we are having a Sunday School class.  You might want to try going to...” It would have been so easy at the moment to say “I’m sorry but we are conducting this talking part of our faith right now. Maybe if you come during the week we can help you.” So easy! But in that moment, I saw the saints move from hearers to doers; hearing to doing; the Spirit of the risen Christ walked our hallways that day.  Thanks be to God.