mondaymorningperspective

If you spent any time attending our GIC missions conference, I'm sure you are just as full this morning as I am. Pastor Sasha did a great job Sunday morning and evening opening our eyes to the needs in Russia but also around the world. Youth sunday school was super-blessed to be able to hear the Emblers story of their journey walking from North Carolina to Peru. The stories they shared of how God met their needs and how perfect His timing was was an incredible encouragement to all of us. I sat in the back and it was awesome to see how the kids were super-glued to them. I am praying that their story has a huge impact on all who heard including myself!! It was equally encouraging to see some of our very own on the stage whom God called and they answered. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least. What was so awesome was that as I looked at them and having seen and heard from the Emblers, was the amazing radiance among them. You could see joy and love all over them that can only come from Christ and a life living in obedience to His call.
I came home thinking about some of those who serve in our church. Those who are called to certain ministries. It's amazing to see the difference in the faces of those who are serving where God has truly called them to serve and how He has blessed those ministries. I think of some sunday school teachers whom God is all over and has truly blessed year after year and they continue to radiate joy as they serve. I thought of our greeters. God has poured out His blessings on that ministry. Some of them just seem to love it, smiling and serving and speaking to people as they come and go and so many back on sunday night to greet again. I've seen dear friend Brian Johnson as he serves others in this way radiate joy and you can sense God's call on him in this area. It's amazing the difference the call makes when it's from Him and not of ourselves and not just something we choose for ourselves and want for ourselves. His call makes all the difference as our missionaries would tell you, as our staff and their families would tell you and those who serve in our church would tell you. I keep going back to Eddie's sermon a few weeks back...His call makes all the difference in our service.