Answering the Bell

 A historic and imperious church bell greeted those entering the One Day Training at Fishkill Baptist Church this past Saturday.  I could imagine it, years ago, swinging with reckless resonance- ringing out the call to morning service.  Though some were tempted to revive the ancient sound (I won’t mention any names!), the old landmark remained silent this weekend.

However, another bell for service was answered with incredible proficiency and grace during another memorable Celebrate Recovery event. 

“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”  (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Our hosts in Fishkill, New York exemplified humble Christian service, responding with grace and proficiency throughout a very fruitful seminar.  I experienced and heard about men and women time and time again going the extra mile as volunteers, pulling off one of the most enjoyable CR trainings I’ve ever been involved with.

Larry Crabb recently made this astute observation; “I see no greater battle in the regenerate human soul than the too often hidden conflict between self-obsession and God-obsession.  It shows up in every relationship, every conversation, every sentence.  And I believe that the only path to real victory in this fierce battle is to become true servants.”

As each one of us grow into the ministry God has created us to fulfill, remember the example Christ set as our servant King as we fight this “good fight.”  Look for opportunities, as did those serving at Fishkill Baptist Church, to lose your “self” in imitating His attitude.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
   Who, being in very nature God,
       did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
   but made himself nothing,
       taking the very nature of a servant,
       being made in human likeness.”  - Philippians 2:5-7

-john