The Journey 71: Transformation in my parish

Read; Nehemiah 4

Key Bible Verse: “I appeal to you brothers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” [ 1 Corinthians 1:10]

The 57 Cent Church :A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.' 'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus. Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: 'This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.' For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there… A newspaper learned of the story and published It It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents. Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. This is the story about Temple Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Close to this church is the Good Samaritan Hospital and a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, who made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, 'Acres of Diamonds”. Transformation in small ways by giving what is right to the Lord. This week we are gong to start meditating on a new theme.

                 This week we shall meditate on the theme : Transformation in my Parish”, based on the life and ministry of Nehemiah. We had discussed this theme a few weeks back. Nehemiah wants to restore the broken relationship of his people with the Lord, and he saw the broken wall of Jerusalem as a sign of stagnation and decay in the spiritual life of the people. When the wall was in ruins the irony of the  matter, was that nobody was bothered, but the moment Nehemiah rallies his people to build and repair the walls, there is opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah. Their modus operandi to put opposition to the Lord’s work is by mocking Nehemiah and also the people. Here is a group of people who does not contribute anything monetarily nor physically on the contrary their contribution to the Lord’s work is words of mockery, sarcasm and opposing everything and everything that comes their way. Their arguments are sometimes based on flimsy and selfish reason. What happens in most of the parish are similar to what Nehemiah faced. There are lot of people in the parish today who have the similar attitude of Sanballat and Tobiah, who will not contribute anything financially nor will do anything creative and constructive work for the parish. Their contribution in the parish is only by opposing anything and everything  that people who are interested in seeing their parish grow and flourish in the Lord’s work bring forth.

On this day let us take a decision that we shall first contribute to the Lord’s work and then only criticize what is happening in our parish.

Contribute and then criticize. That is what Parish needs.

 

Let us Pray: Lord you expect us to work for the transformation in our parish in our own and unique ways of our contribution. We are sorry hat we often criticize before even dong anything creative and contributing to the parish. Forgive us our sins of arrogance and sarcasm . Amen