When I was a child, I always liked it when the cousins would come from other states and spend the week at our house and grandma's house. We had so much fun playing together and being together for the once a year adventure. One of the things that we would sometimes play was dress up. We would dress up in grandpa's and grandma's old clothes and wear their shoes that we found in their closet. Of course our little bodies weren't big enough for their clothes and our little feet weren't big enough to fill their shoes. I guess all kids have tried to wear shoes that belonged to someone that had larger feet than they.
As I think about this concept of trying to fill someone else's shoes or taking someone else's place, I am reminded of David taking Saul's place as king, Elisha succeeding Elijah as prophet, and Joshua taking over as the leader of the Israelites in place of Moses. It wasn't easy for the new person to take over as an effective leader, but it was possible.
We have in our congregation many faithful members that have carried the torch for many years. They have served this congregation well. One of those members is David Koone. He has taken his role as deacon over the youth very seriously. He has been there for your kids and my kids time and time again. When our kids remember the youth group, David Koone will be part of what they will remember because he has made an impact on their lives. Thanks David for all that you have done in your role as deacon. I know you will continue to serve this congregation and our youth in whatever way you can without the title of deacon at this time. Your shoes will be hard to fill.
As the body of Christ that meets at Robinson and Center streets, we have a challenge to carry the torch of Christ. We have shoes to fill from previous generations. Let us all step up to the plate and be counted as servants of God. Let us heed what Paul said in Eph. 5:15-16, Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME, because the days are evil. Fill some shoes.
How often do we petition God to bless us? We ask for comfort, peace, forgiveness, wisdom, healing, and love. We ask God to be with us, to save us, guide us and to protect us. When a situation is beyond our abilities, we ask God to step in and do what we are unable to do. The requests are as diverse as those asking. God wants us to ask. He wants His child to rely on Him, to trust Him. Matthew 7:7 says: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Our God is a giving God; all good things are from above (James 1:17).
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Paul and Timothy are instructing the saints at Philippi to talk to God, to cast their concerns upon He who is able and to make their requests to God from a thankful heart. God knows how to give good gifts, Matthew 7:11. As we ask we need to be thankful for God’s answer and for blessings that we already enjoy. We need to count our blessings, we must. If today you haven’t reflected on God’s goodness, stop and do it now. Our blessings are too numerous to include in this article, but I will list a few: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, the church, prayer, freedom to worship God as He commands, those who proclaim the true gospel of Christ, the ability to serve God by serving others, our country, family, wife, husband, children, mother, father, grandparents, friends, our health, opportunities, homes, safety, our jobs, food… the person sitting two pews away from you each Lord’s day. When we take the time to see what God is doing in our lives it allows us to realize how blessed we are. At times we pray for things that the Lord has already provided, things we just haven’t noticed. Do you need a friend, a mentor, a brother or sister in Christ, someone to serve? Your blessing could be two pews away.