Devotion: Selfless #ThisMatters
James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but it earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness.
God desires our help not only in simple ways but also ways that touch our hearts as well as others. Some of you might know I have begun driving for UBER recently, and I have learned so much. This experience has brought me so many great things and a host of wonderful people, which I love. I look at it as a real “mission” field; a chance to put into practice what the Lord and my Sheridan family have taught and continue to teach me.
I happen to drive a lot of University of Nebraska students and literally meet people from all over the world. I carry business cards with me that have Sheridan’s times of worship services, phone number and website information, along with our mission statement on the back. I use these as an invitation sometimes or just as a conversation starter to encourage these young people (so very far from home) to visit if they are so inclined.
Often times I let them know about all the ministries that Sheridan offers, of ways God can and does lead us to our “heart’s desires”. It’s more than a place to worship. It’s more than a place to have some fun. It’s about hearing God’s call to “do more”. Some folks in my life say, “I don’t need church! I’ve been churched enough!” My response to this is; sometimes it’s not about what you can get out of service, it’s what you give back!
One of my riders told me just this morning. “There are only two things in life we have complete control over, our attitude and our effort!” I thought that was pretty profound, and grateful the Lord put him in my car. To have an attitude of service especially when God points the way to wonderful experiences and to pair that with a desire to share God’s love is exciting.
My next rider was a graduate student. In my conversation with him, I talked about how much I loved the opportunities afforded to students to go back to their home countries to develop their nations and mentioned the students I’d recently met from Rwanda. He suddenly got very quiet. “It’s funny you should mention that… I am getting ready to go to Rwanda this weekend to become a teacher as part of the exchange program you just mentioned!” Nobody is ever going be able to tell me that the Lord can’t put you where He wants you to dance, as long as we let Him lead.
Dear Lord, put desire in our hearts to go where you need us. Help us bloom where you plant us. And let those I meet see Jesus Christ in my face as well as my speech and my heart. Amen.
Written by Fran Baatz
Fran is happily married with two daughters, and now four grandchildren and one great-grand daughter! She was an army brat growing up (which means she moved a bit) and her parents (Francis and Orpha Jimenez) were charter members of Sheridan Lutheran Church. She was also the first girl baptized in the church in 1953, so she has been at Sheridan a long time.