“The Lord provides.”
What do we immediately think when someone makes this statement? What we think may be one clue to our state of faith, or trust in the Divine. Trusting (or not) in the Lord’s provision can be influenced by our experience. In a former church, I remember a time when we needed $10,000 to pay our bills. Some people were anxious about this; others were less concerned because they had past experiences with the Lord’s timely provisions in unexpected ways. One Sunday we celebrated a baptism: it was glorious. After everyone left the coffee hour that day, an usher said to me, “I have something to show you.” Right in front of my face he held up a $10,000 check for the church. Even more wonderful, a note from an out-of-town worshiper accompanied the check. He was so inspired by the baptism, unknowingly, he became a human vehicle for the Lord’s provision - ”unknowingly” because he had no way of knowing the fiscal needs of the church at that particular time.
Recently at Holy Trinity we were notified about a similar “provision” which is forthcoming. Stay tuned, as you will hear more about the details later. This gift was not spontaneously inspired, but a thoughtful, deliberate act of leaving Holy Trinity in a will. There are infinite ways to be vehicles of the Lord’s provisions.
From generation to generation, the Lord provides through the amazing generosity of faithful people. As this season of pledging to the 2011 operating budget begins, please prayerfully consider how you are a vehicle of the Lord’s provisions. Time, talent, treasure: which to offer when? Ponder briefly. Then actively join in the communion of saints who make their offerings, giving us memories of extraordinary blessings, and reason for our ongoing trust that “the Lord provides.”
Thanks be to God!
Karen+
