Sunday was an Easter Sunday we will talk about for the rest of our lives. Because it is not safe to meet in large groups I delivered my Easter message from the roof of Bethel Church. The people came in their cars and listened to the message on FM radio from the safety and comfort of their own car.
Just before the service began an elderly lady walked across the field to attend the service. When she reached the parking lot she looked up reverently and crossed herself. She stood there leaning on a light pole. The parking lot was nearly full. Everyone else was in the warm comfort of their car. While we sang I watched the woman and wished there was a way she could have a seat. Just before I stepped forward to preach Allen Miracle, visiting Bethel for the drive-in service, got a lawn chair out of the back of his car and gave it to the woman. My heart was touched by the gesture. When this “storm” passes, I plan to find where the lady came from and thank her for attending our service.
This year the hardship the world is passing through has inspired many to unusual acts of warm humanity. One of the ladies in our church wrote that a man climbed into the tower of his church on Easter Sunday morning and played hymns on his trumpet. The beautiful sound rang out over the neighborhood proclaiming Christ is alive.
On my Twitter feed I watched a video of a couple playing Christ the Lord is Risen Today as a violin and cello duet out in the courtyard. Christ is Alive and it often bursts out into song.
I heard of a man who walked through the neighborhood playing the bagpipes–so you know sometimes hardship brings dark depravity to the surface, too. Sorry. Just kidding.
Christ is Risen. Jesus is alive. He is the one-and-only true and living King. Take what you have and do what you can to tell the world. Get out your bagpipes, share your lawn chair, play your trumpet, loan your lift-trucks to raise the pastor up to preach off the roof. Deliver food. Give blood. Make breakfast. Make a grocery-run for a neighbor. Do what you can, but let the whole world know Jesus is Alive. What he said is true. What he promised he will do. He was there at the beginning. He will be there in the end. He is with us even now.
Bittersweet Farm
April 14, 2020
The simple act of giving someone the use of a lawnchair for an hour may make little difference, or may be the difference that allows someone to consider crossing the line into genuine faith. We may never know in this life, but it sure seems like a good idea to give something away every day. I know a man who is part of our church and now engaged leading a church plant in a near by town simply because he was greeted with genuine conversation on an early visit….conversation about nothing that seemed important at the time. It seems personal connection all wrapped up in truth was the halmark of that first church in Acts 2. May God bless you for embracing the gospel during this time of disruption. As persecution scattered the early church my COVID scatter us to minister in new ways!
Thank you for always, ALWAYS pointing your readers/listeners to Jesus Christ and His steadfast love for us. He is bigger than what we’re all facing right now.
I relished and savored reading about these acts of kindness and goodwill. Stay safe, healthy and optimisitc!