Devotion #5: The Food Pantry
If you have been around The River Church for any length of time, you know that we have certain times of the year that we have a designated focus to Join the Team. You would have heard how serving is a vital part of how the church functions as a whole and that every area of serving has a purpose and is equally as important as another. Even though some are desired more than others, they do not necessarily have the same need. One of the areas of ministry that I have the privilege of overseeing is the Food Pantry. I will be completely honest in saying that I did not know much about what it was at first; I just knew that we had one. I knew it was on Saturdays, and not many people would want to sign up to serve there because of the weekend commitment. I could not have been more wrong!
One of my favorite stories comes from one of the volunteers who always serves on Saturday mornings with a smile. She recently shared a story of one of the ladies who comes to the pantry regularly that was very difficult to talk with. This lady never really made eye contact, never shared a hello, and seemed sad and hopeless. The volunteer continued to greet her, ask her if there was anything she could pray about for her, and did not let the lady’s sadness affect her in continuing to show her love. One morning, after four years of greeting and asking if there was something to pray for, the lady said, “Yes, there is.” She then sat with the volunteer and shared her story of her grief at the loss of her husband and asked for forgiveness. It would have been easy for that volunteer to give up on this lady after not receiving any glimpse of acknowledgment. I am so thankful that her heart was to continue to show her love consistently.
Romans 15:1 says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Paul tells us as believers that we have an obligation to not give up on those of weaker faith but to continue to be persistent in showing God’s love toward them. He is encouraging us as believers to put the needs of others before our own. It is not to please ourselves but to glorify God. We, as members of the body of Christ, are all very different and unique. Our roles are equally different and equally important in serving. In 1 Corinthians 12:22, Paul says, “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor.” We are all a part of one body and God arranged each part as he chose.
If you have committed to joining the team, you may be involved in one ministry or many. My prayer is that each of us embrace the gift that each of us has and not lose sight of the obligation we are called to. Look for ways to use the gifts that God has given you. Just like my volunteer continued to show love, you can be that encouragement to someone that God puts in your path today.