During my time as a student at Moody Bible Institute, for a period of time, former president of the institute from 1971 to 1987, Dr. George Sweeting, as Chancellor, was keeping office hours there. He could sometimes be encountered walking through the hallways. Older married students, such as I, used to congregate in the Coffee Cove before, between and after classes. We would gather around a table, share a meal and debate our views on theological issues. More than a 100 times we debated the issues of Calvinism, Armenianism; eternal security, dispensationalism and anything else that allowed us to sharpen our theologically pointy heads. Just the thought of it brings back fond memories. Needless to say, each of us felt that we held the “right” view. The great thing about it is that our differences did not hinder our friendships.
Anyway, as I was saying, Sweeting would happen through the Coffee Cove every once in a while. What a grand old fellow. He was friendly and always seemed to have time to chat with a student. He once said to me that he was so glad to see more people of color having an opportunity to devote themselves to fulltime formal study in the scriptures, in preparation for ministry. He recognized that, due to economic inequities, the number of minority students was not large. Most worked during the day and took one or two classes during the night school. Frankly, that is exactly how I began my time at Moody.
Sweeting was often the speaker during our chapel time at Moody. I always loved to hear him speak. When he spoke of D.L. Moody it was as if he knew him personally and had just spoken to him last week. Dr. Sweeting is still at it and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak, take advantage of it. He is a grand and godly story teller. Recently, I was reading his thoughts on faithfulness in service. Here is an excerpt:
“Once, while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked what he would do if he were suddenly told he would die that day at sunset. He answered, “I would finish hoeing my garden!” Hoeing his garden was a God-given assignment, and faithfulness in every task God gives is required of all who serve (1 Corinthians 4:2).”
Isn’t that thought provoking? The message is that faithfulness in service is expected of all Jesus-followers. How could Assisi serve even if he knew he were going to die that night. The answer must be because his confidence was in Christ. So should be ours. The apostle Paul once said, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:6-8).
Serving is more than a word. It is the epitome of what Christ came to do. He came to serve. Thank God that he did. Had he not, we, all of us, would be doomed and hopelessly lost.
So? What’s the point? The point is we too, all of us, are called to be faithful servants. The ramifications of this extend well beyond sitting in a church and listening to a Sunday morning sermon and then getting up and going home. The point is, you are called to serve. Perhaps your talent is to serve as a teacher, nursery worker, usher, singer or musician. Maybe you can volunteer in the homeless shelter and be a witnesses for the Shelter In The Time Of Storm (for you young folks, this is a title that older folks have given to Christ).
The point is, as you deal with the cares of this world; as you navigate the difficulties of life; as you experience the joys of living; as you debate issues in the coffee cove (or Starbucks) of your life; as you do life, don’t let it deter you from serving the Savior. Whatever you do, do it as one who walks by faith and not by sight. Do it well. Even if it’s no more than hoeing the garden, do it to the glory of God. Do it with the confidence of knowing that, if you were to die at sunset, you will be present with the Lord.
Anyway, as I was saying, Sweeting would happen through the Coffee Cove every once in a while. What a grand old fellow. He was friendly and always seemed to have time to chat with a student. He once said to me that he was so glad to see more people of color having an opportunity to devote themselves to fulltime formal study in the scriptures, in preparation for ministry. He recognized that, due to economic inequities, the number of minority students was not large. Most worked during the day and took one or two classes during the night school. Frankly, that is exactly how I began my time at Moody.
Sweeting was often the speaker during our chapel time at Moody. I always loved to hear him speak. When he spoke of D.L. Moody it was as if he knew him personally and had just spoken to him last week. Dr. Sweeting is still at it and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak, take advantage of it. He is a grand and godly story teller. Recently, I was reading his thoughts on faithfulness in service. Here is an excerpt:
“Once, while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked what he would do if he were suddenly told he would die that day at sunset. He answered, “I would finish hoeing my garden!” Hoeing his garden was a God-given assignment, and faithfulness in every task God gives is required of all who serve (1 Corinthians 4:2).”
Isn’t that thought provoking? The message is that faithfulness in service is expected of all Jesus-followers. How could Assisi serve even if he knew he were going to die that night. The answer must be because his confidence was in Christ. So should be ours. The apostle Paul once said, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:6-8).
Serving is more than a word. It is the epitome of what Christ came to do. He came to serve. Thank God that he did. Had he not, we, all of us, would be doomed and hopelessly lost.
So? What’s the point? The point is we too, all of us, are called to be faithful servants. The ramifications of this extend well beyond sitting in a church and listening to a Sunday morning sermon and then getting up and going home. The point is, you are called to serve. Perhaps your talent is to serve as a teacher, nursery worker, usher, singer or musician. Maybe you can volunteer in the homeless shelter and be a witnesses for the Shelter In The Time Of Storm (for you young folks, this is a title that older folks have given to Christ).
The point is, as you deal with the cares of this world; as you navigate the difficulties of life; as you experience the joys of living; as you debate issues in the coffee cove (or Starbucks) of your life; as you do life, don’t let it deter you from serving the Savior. Whatever you do, do it as one who walks by faith and not by sight. Do it well. Even if it’s no more than hoeing the garden, do it to the glory of God. Do it with the confidence of knowing that, if you were to die at sunset, you will be present with the Lord.
“…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28.
Just some thoughts on serving from the heart and mind of Victor.
