Made for This

I spent a lot of February and March in shock over the Missouri District’s upcoming statewide servant event. Ask any of my co-workers and they’ll tell you my standard expression was, “This is nuts!” whenever questioned about SHINE!. I couldn’t believe it as the number of participants continued to climb (now close to 5,000 strong). The service projects that groups were selecting were all just so creative and loving, too. Crazy as it is to admit, I never could have predicted just how many people have stepped forward to join us in serving their neighbors.

But God’s Word showed me that there’s absolutely nothing surprising about what is going to happen later this month. It was all planned a very long time ago…

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

We were made especially for this, Missouri District.

There are a lot of issues and hurts that are concerning to our neighbors, and they’re about to see that there is a God who loves them enough to send help. Care for the homeless and disadvantaged, environmental and animal issues, encouragement for the elderly, military, and those afflicted by various diseases, as well as safety for human trafficking victims…these are just some of the issues to be addressed in the next few days.

And God made preschoolers in Festus, new Americans in St. Louis, college students in Kirksville, and LWML members in Jefferson City to help tackle these problems. He created members of youth groups in Blue Springs and Springfield to offer hope to a hurting world. God also went on to equip high schoolers in Jackson and Concordia to bless their corners of the state. Men and women in Rolla and LaGrange will use their God-given gifts to offer hope in Jesus Christ in uncertain times.

My shock over SHINE! has given way to pure wonder at God’s expert planning. He made us for this moment to serve in this place. Thank you to all of the participants and sponsors for answering the call. Let’s shine brightly for Him!