By Robin Wiley
I John 4:17-19
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Growing up on a farm near a lake in rural Minnesota had its benefits. As a kid, I could be found down by the lake with a pile of stones collected from all over our farm, which I would throw into the water or skip them across the surface when the lake was smooth and calm. Inevitably, ripples would flow from the impact of the stones, and I would spend time watching to see how far on the water they would go.
It’s like that with our ministries. Ever ministry we do here at FBC Weslaco, whether it’s our Food Pantry, Widow/Widowers Banquet, Griefshare, or Wednesday night activities to name a few – every ministry creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. Every person within those ministries also causes a ripple. It does not matter who you are – what you do – or your position in life – each person can cause a ripple effect by their very existence. God created us all with a plan and purpose and it is a simple one – we are to love others as He first loved us. If we are saved and filled with His Spirit, our everyday life should create a ripple that exudes love to those around us and continues to be far reaching.
Take our Widows/Widowers Banquet the Deacons host every year in February. This ministry used to be just for the widows/widowers, but recently we encouraged them to invite their family members because they too are grieving a loss. From that, people who had been watching our services online came back to worship in-person and even brought their neighbor! Last year, our Deacon body invited their own immediate families to help serve which is seen as such a blessing and a great learning experience for the kiddos helping. Comments and feedback heard from those in attendance said they really appreciated seeing our kiddos serve alongside their parents by sharing their time and love with the widows. What an amazing impact it has toward God’s Kingdom!
Our GriefShare ministry has been going strong for the past five years and one of the many ripples from that ministry has brought more new members to our church family, and they have in turn invited their friends to attend our church. One person in particular who passed away last summer, started coming to Griefshare in early 2020. She loved being able to help others with their grief journey so much – that she continued helping as a grief mentor with other sessions. She eventually joined our church and continued inviting people and sharing the love of Christ with others up until the day she died. Her ripple lives on in those people’s lives.
I could go on and on with other ripple effect stories with any of our ministries. We prayerfully and thoughtfully pursue every ministry through the lens of Jesus. God loves us. Jesus died for us. His Grace is enough for us. We are to take up our cross, crucify our flesh and follow Jesus. Love other people as Christ loves us. Let your ripple represent what you proclaim in your heart!
Prayer: Father, I ask you today to create in me a new heart and a steadfast spirit. Open my eyes to what you are showing me and let my ears hear Your Word for my life today. In Jesus Name, AMEN.