First, I attended the wedding shower of a friend that I did not know well on a personal level but had connected with on a spiritual level though prayer on several occasions. I learned that she is 74 years young and has been a single divorced lady for 35 years. I also heard about the genetic condition which has taken away much of her eyesight as well as that of her four brothers and a younger sister. Yet I have always observed her to be a joy filled, spirit filled lady. Instead of being bitter about her years as a single parent and the loss of her sight, she has clearly allowed God to use her circumstances for the better. I learned Sarah had a number of women who lived in her home over the years, in fact I think she said she only spent one year without a guest.
On this occasion she was overcome by the emotion of seeing so many gather to celebrate all that the Lord has done for her over the years, including her newest blessing, a husband with whom to share her life. Mostly, though, what stood out to me was the large number of women who attended, probably close to 50 women spanning at least five decades and all enthusiastic to share the joy of her incredible blessing.
Later in the week, I received the news of the passing of a former pastor, Warren Hilderbrand--
a wonderful shepherd, a passionate student of the Bible, and an excellent pastor/teacher.
Our first with he and his wife was when we were new at the church and trying to heal from wounds we received at our previous church. Not only did Warren and Louise welcome us with open arms, they invited us to serve immediately, quickly grafting us into the body of Christ. Less than 2 months later, they were quick to fill the role of shepherd to both to us and to our foster son's family when his brother, who had just entered his teens, took his own life. There was no previous investment into this family's life...and nothing to gain except planting the seeds of hope and eternity into their hearts.
Warren was also a passionate student of the Bible. At his packed funeral I learned that focused Bible study was a habit that began with him early in his life. His family reminisced about his hunger for the Word and his passion for studying. Even as a preteen he could often be found upstairs in his childhood home studying his Bible, sometimes having fallen asleep with his Bible open to the page he had been reading. Eager to share all that he learned, Warren became an excellent pastor and teacher. From the pulpit I heard simple truths presented with clear love and passion for the Word of God. And in my years under his leadership I remember that each Sunday he taught a "Bible school class" prior to the first church service. I believe it meant as much to him as to those faithful followers who eagerly listened to his wise instruction. Any time Warren offered a class, it was sure to be well attended by those ready with their Bibles, pens, and notepads. Perhaps the most revealing illustration of the core of his being was his Bible on display at his service, well worn and filled with notes and highlighted in many colors. I look forward to reading the book he was finishing at the time of his passing, From Bethany to Bethany.
So How Then Shall We Live? What do others see in regards to our faith? Are we ministering to, having an impact on, and making friends across a variety of age groups? How well worn are our Bibles? Are we sharing our stories of God's work in our lives? In John 15:16a, Jesus says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit...." We have been chosen to bear fruit, let's look for opportunities to do just that!