Every week our head pastor sends out a letter to us all writing of what is going on and what is coming up for the following week at our church. There are many letters I have read and say to myself…"That was great", but this week he was so eloquent in his wording of how those of us (homeschoolers included) who are in ministry are in a real life of service.
When we hear about our missionaries and hear their stories of joy and sorrow, they are real heroes. Their reward will come someday, as our reward for homeschooling and bringing up our children according to the Lord will be rewarded to us as well as to our children. Not just in heaven, but here on earth the very first time our children say or do something that makes that Ahha moment. The first time they are able to recite their catechism at church. The first time a person says "Your kids are so well behaved. How do you do it?". But more important the first time our backs our turned on our children and they do the right thing because of the teachings of Jesus Christ we have been bestowing upon them since day one in our homeschool journey! I hope you will get the same Wow factor I did when you read the letter from my pastor. Enjoy.
Dear Calvary Family,
The Academy Awards show was last Sunday night which also happened to be the same time as our Sunday evening service with our missionaries. At that time, I made the crack that it is ironic that many actors are giving each other self congratulatory awards while at Calvary we are thanking those who have listened to the call of God to serve the Lord.
I did catch some of the Awards show and was pleased to see that Sandra Bullock won the best actress award for her role in the Blind Side, a morally good movie. But there is an interesting lesson to be learned here. Sandra Bullock did a great job playing the role of the real life mom. If she did not play a scene perfectly, they could shoot it again. If there were mistakes, just do a retake. The final product of all of Bullock's scenes was a result of hundreds of hours of makeup, editing, lighting and directing so that it looked perfect. She then graciously received the Academy Award for her good looking work.
Sitting in the nose bleed section was the real life mom, Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband Sean, who took in orphan Michael Oher and reared him as their own child. They were motivated by their Christian principles and educated Michael in a private Christian high school. If the Tuohys made any mistakes, they could not stop filming and reshoot the scene. They did not have hundreds of extras to assist them and make them look good. They just lived out their Christian life and gave Michael Oher a chance for success. He now plays football for the Baltimore Ravens. His life has been changed forever.
While Bullock received the Oscar, the real star was Leigh Anne Tuohy. Only in our society do we honor the one who plays the role of the real hero in this story rather than the real mom who sacrificed for Michael. So much in life is that way. When I think of all our missionaries and hear their stories of joy and sorrow, they are our real heroes. Their reward will come someday from the only One who really matters.
For all of us in ministry, which includes all of us serving Christ no matter where you get your pay check, I am reminded of these words of Paul: "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God." I Corinthians 1:26-29.
We come to the Lord's service as weak empty vessels totally dependent on Him. All we accomplish is not intended for our own reward, no one may boast before God. As we live out our real life of service, God does not need any actors playing a role of Christian service. He wants the real you and me, with flaws, failures and some times foolish mistakes, so that He can choose us and empower us to serve Him only. No retakes necessary when living our lives openly by His grace and power. You may not hear standing ovations as you serve the Lord, but remember, there is One in heaven who loves to rise from His throne and thank you. Some day you will hear His words of commendation. Be faithful.
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