Verronica is my dear friend who lives at Garden Gate. We have prayed together, served together, laughed together. She had been considering the opportunity to start a small group at Garden Gate around the same time that my cell was ready to multiply. Together we prayed about a seemingly open door to start a cell and felt that God confirmed this opportunity that he had placed before us. Verronica visited our cell and connected with several people in the group. I was so happy to hear that they all spent time together while I was in Vietnam! Our new cell begins in Veronica's home at Garden Gate next Monday. I have a deep sense that God is going to use our group, to grow our group, to multiply our group and invite transformation into the community. This is not a program, it's not an event, it is an opportunity to develop genuine relationships. I'm bothered by the reality that words like "outreach" and "service" carry a somewhat draining connotation in our culture. These words mean something completely different when relationships are formed and we genuinely see each other as brothers and sisters. In the Kingdom of God, there is no mentality of "us" and "them". When we attempt to serve through our resources alone, we reject an opportunity to share the true love of Christ that connects people to each other. It is so important to me to serve alongside the people that we have been called to serve. Next month at Garden Gate, residents will be doing their spring cleaning, and they will bring donated items to the clubroom to "swap" with each other. Then they will bring additional donations to a charitable organization. What a great opportunity they have to bless and serve each other!
I've observed a similar dynamic through our to service to refugee populations at Ladera Palms Apartments in Fort Worth. We have had many opportunities to interact with children and families in this community through engagements of all kinds. The most poignant stories are those that come from individual and significant relationships that are formed between volunteers and refugee families. The spirit comes in when a volunteer's identity changes to a friend, a brother, or a sister. It is no longer a mere commitment or service opportunity. I am anticipating more cells and families to catch on to the great reward that comes from "adopting" these refugee families that are new to America. Our cell has done it, and we have had a blast! Whether we attend birthday parties, bring them to church, or just have tea in their home, they are always so welcoming and loving toward us.
The opportunity to serve is truly God's gift to us. We were designed for relationships, and to be in community with one another. When we run after this opportunity he blesses us through relationships in ways greater than we could have imagined.
