From May 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter
Paul said: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 2:8
We’re taught from a very young age about the importance of sharing. It’s reinforced on the playground and when children get together to play Legos or Barbies. Parents may even say things like: “Sharing is caring.” As we become adults, we see that our culture is largely focused on me, myself, and I. That’s not to say that there are no good people in our world, no one who shares and no one who does something for the sake of another … of course there are. But many of us make decisions and evaluate circumstances based on what it means for me.
There is a Country song by Tracy Lawrence called “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (see the video on YouTube). It begins by calling the listener to think about all the tough times we could find ourselves in as the lyrics continue…
This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn’t know
This is where the truth don’t lieYou find out who your friends are
Somebody’s gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think
“What’s in it for me?”
Or “It’s way too far”
They just show on up
With their big ol’ heart
You find out who your friends are
© Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music, Sagrabeaux Songs, Universal Music – Careers By Casey Beathard, Edward Monroe Hill
On Sunday, April 12, I held a forum discussion during the Education hour to share my progress in my doctoral program and to share results from the recent survey I conducted. I shared the Greek word allelon (pronounced al-lay’-lone), which means “one another” or “each other”. If we see our lives as Christians through the lens of the Bible and allelon, we see that we are meant to be part of a community (1 Corinthians 12). It affects our thinking and our actions because we become more focused on building up the other person or building up our community rather than simply building me up.
When we share our time and share our lives with other people, we are both enriched. When the people of Bethel have healthy and holy relationships both inside and outside the walls of the church, that builds Bethel. Our community works the same way our bodies do. If there is a part of your body that is weak or that is suffering in some way, it affects the body. So, it is the work of the body to build up, strengthen, encourage and promote health of those parts of the body.
Can you imagine the impact on your life, the life of Bethel and on the whole Christian church as we live this way not only within the walls of the church, but in our homes and schools or workplaces … everywhere.
Are there ways in your own life you can allow space and time for sharing?
If you haven’t been reading these articles or you haven’t been doing anything with them, that’s ok. Spend a week or two just doing one of the previous practices. If you would like to share, I would love to hear your stories of simply noticing people, praying for them, showing grace, sharing and how this builds you and builds Bethel.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
Epicurious Lutheran 