Yesterday afternoon, a member of Wesley reached out to me with a question:
“I was wondering if I could donate toilet paper to the shelter if they need it, the church, or to anyone else that does. When we were running down to the last couple of rolls, the only thing I could find to buy at that time was a box of 80 from Sam’s Club. They are all individually wrapped. I don’t want to keep them all to ourselves when there is a shortage.”
I don’t want to keep them all to ourselves when there is a shortage. My friends, that kind of language — that kind of perspective — is life-giving. That kind of language prioritizes the needs of those who might lack adequate daily resources. That language captures who we are as the people of Wesley Church: people blessing people. That kind of language warms this pastor’s heart, solidifies my faith in humanity, and calls to mind the words of scripture:
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:1-4, NRSV
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others… whatever those interests may be — food, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, and yes, even toilet paper.
This season of coronavirus is a strange season, friends… one that is filled with anxiety and uncertainty… and yet, one that is filled with potential, too. In this strange season, there is so much potential to be the church, to be the hands and feet and heart and voice of Christ, to embody the selfless love we have known through Christ. We have a chance, in this moment, to embody and convey the love of Christ with gifts as simple as toilet paper. What a powerful time to be the church!
Friends, I pray that each of you may look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. I pray that you may act and give and share in ways that meet others’ needs and restore their faith in humanity. And I pray that you may hold on to this vital truth:
- Our God is bigger than coronavirus.
- Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too.
- We are people blessing people.
We are Wesley Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Candy
Want to know more?
- Learn about our church and its ministries: https://wesleychurch.com/
- Make a gift to support our mission: https://wesleychurch.com/giving-2/
- View our recent messages: https://wesleychurch.com/sermon-message-on-video/
