Stirring Hearts
I am always amazed at the different ways God chooses to accomplish God’s
purposes in the world. In Genesis we witness God who simply speaks and the
heavens, seas, plants and animals of earth are created. In the gospels
Jesus speaks and Lazarus who was dead is raised to life. But at other times
God and Jesus seem to work less directly and rather than just act, they
stir the hearts of God’s people and invite them to accomplish what
God would want done in the world. Jesus stirs the heart of the Pharisee
Nicodemus until finally after some time Nicodemus chooses Christ and
becomes a follower.
I’m watching this week as God is stirring hearts at Wright’s Chapel to
accomplish God’s purposes. This week I talked with two folks from our
church about two new possibilities for ministry in our community. This
coming week Allison Sears and I are meeting with the leaders from the Day
Support Service for adults with intellectual disabilities in our
community. We will be talking about how we might start a bakery here at
Wright’s Chapel where adults with disabilities can come here once a week
and alongside our volunteers can learn to bake goodies and treats to share
in the community. We’ve recently begun a ministry for children with
special needs that is continuing to grow. I can’t wait to tell you more
about this new ministry and our efforts to work with adults with
disabilities. I have such hope that God’s stirring of a single heart will
change our community for Jesus.
I also met this week with Dave Rababy whose heart was stirred by God last
week in worship. After watching Cassidy’s video and seeing what she is
doing for our homeless neighbors, Dave was moved to try and start a new
ministry at Wright’s Chapel for combat veterans in our community. Dave has
much experience in this area having served 27 years as a Marine and in four
combat settings. Today he continues to work with veterans trying to
address their many different areas of need. On his heart is that we at
Wright’s Chapel could provide a weekly ministry of support and care for
combat veterans who have faced struggles after returning home. I’m so glad
that God has placed this on Dave’s heart and I can’t wait to see how God
will move and stir the heart of others as God calls us to be the healing
hands of Jesus.
Sometimes God acts and instantly things are different and sometimes through
the stirring of a heart God brings about God’s desires through a gradual
and growing process. Is God stirring your heart to get involved with
adults with disabilities? Is God you stirring your heart to get involved
and support combat veterans? How is God stirring your heart?