Dear Friends in Christ,

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Cor. 15:57-58

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:9-10

In the life of the Christian, there is always the "Why?" and there is always the "What?"

The "Why?" is a motivation word. It is proper to understand there are "layers of motivation" as we do what we do. For example, when people heard about the terrible disaster in Haiti (This is a "What?" opportunity), a major part of the motivation to give was "Thousands of people need help, and I can contribute toward helping." Obviously, that is a very valid motivation. Another example would be the up-coming (March 13, 2010) Pancake Day to support the Crisis Center (a "What?" opportunity). One motivating factor in your decision to come and serve that day, buy or sell tickets, and come to the breakfast might be "The Crisis Center has had an unusually large number of clients come for help, and more funding is needed at this time."  Human need motivates us to "not grow weary of doing good."

For the Christian there is always an underlying motivation, a reason "Why?" we do the "What?". This deeper layer is expressed by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 15. We are "Easter People" who, by our Baptism, have journeyed to the cross with Christ, been buried with Him and have been given His victory over death and the grave by His resurrection. We are alive in Christ in order to fill in the "What?" (opportunity) blanks in our daily lives; we do so with "thanks be to God" in our hearts.

Not intending to offend anyone, I will say that Christians have "Big Ears" and "Big Hearts." Because we have the "Why?" from Christ as our daily motivation in life, we are always listening for the "as we have opportunity" moment. Our hearts are tuned in to the "What?" of "abounding in the work of the Lord."

 As long as the Lord gives us life on this earth, we will have opportunities placed before us. The Holy Spirit will guide us in knowing how best to use the resources of money, time, energy, skill and so on to do good, to help others, to serve Christ's purpose.

I give thanks to God that you are a generous congregation in responding to God's call to give and to serve. I give thanks for the many, many individuals who give generously, yet quietly, to carry out the work of the Lord.

May Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Lord, be our "Why?" of life, and may He guide us to fill in the "What?" (opportunity) blanks that are placed before us. Know this: "In the Lord your labor is not in vain."

WITH THANKSGIVING!

Pastor Zimmermann