S2E23 The Ministry of Showing Up

Welcome to the Spray United Methodist Church podcast.

My name is Hoyt, and I am grateful you are here today.

Let us take a moment to slow down, breathe, and rest in the presence of God.

Today I want to talk about something I call the ministry of showing up.

Most of the Christian life is not lived in extraordinary moments, it is lived in ordinary faithfulness.

One prayer at a time, one act of kindness at a time, one faithful step after another.

When Jesus called his disciples, he did not hand them a ministry manual.

He simply said, Follow me.

They followed, they listened, they learned, they failed, they were forgiven, and they kept showing up.

That encourages me because the disciples were ordinary people.

Over time, by the grace of God, they were transformed because they stayed close to Jesus.

There are days when showing up is easy.

There are other days when the body hurts, the schedule is heavy, and our strength feels small.

On those days, faithfulness may not look impressive to anyone else, but God sees it.

God sees the caregiver who keeps caring, the volunteer who keeps serving, the church member who keeps praying, the person who comes to worship after a difficult week.

Sometimes wisdom tells us to rest.

Sometimes wisdom tells us to ask for help.

But there is also a holy perseverance that says, Lord, if you give me strength for this day, I will use that strength to serve you.

I think about this in the community table.

Sometimes the food goes quickly, sometimes there is more need than we can meet, but sometimes something important happens when the church shows up.

A family is greeted, a neighbor is seen, a person who feels forgotten is treated with dignity.

Food is placed into hands, but something more is offered.

We offer the love of Christ.

The greatest example of showing up is Jesus Himself.

Jesus shows up for the sick, the weary, the outcast, and the sinner.

He walked among people.

He listened.

He cared.

He loved.

And ultimately he showed up to the cross for us.

We do not show up to earn God's love.

We show up because Jesus first showed up for us.

Maybe someone listening today feels that what they do is small, their service is quiet, their work is mostly unseen.

Do not underestimate small faithfulness, a prayer, a visit, a meal, a ride, a kind word, a moment of patience.

God can use these ordinary acts in extraordinary ways.

The kingdom of God is built through many small acts of obedience offered to a great and holy God.

So today, do not underestimate the ministry of showing up.

Show up with humility, show up with patience, show up with love.

You do not have to have all the answers.

You do not have to have to change the world today.

You simply need to be faithful where God has placed you.

And when you are tired, ask God for strength.

Then take the next faithful step.

Let us pray.

Gracious and holy God, thank you for faithfulness to us.

Thank you for showing up in our lives to Jesus Christ.

Help us to not overlook the ordinary places where you call us to be faithful.

Strengthen those who are tired.

Encourage those who feel unnoticed.

Comfort those who carry heavy burdens.

Teach us that ministry is not always dramatic.

Sometimes it begins with simply being present.

Help us to show up with the love of Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

Thank you for joining me on the Spray United Methodist Church podcast.

If you do not have a church home, we invite you to worship with us at Spray United Methodist Church, 803 Morgan Road, Eden, North Carolina.

Until next time, may God bless you, keep you, and remind you that faithfulness often begins with simply showing up.