Reflecting his light
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
This is an invitation for us to have works of love in the name of Jesus.
I am impressed by the people of my city, Bogotá. In the midst of this poverty, one of the poorest families in our congregation gave us a moving example of service. Alirio and Cecilia have too long a story to tell here. They are displaced from rural areas. They had to come to town. They have three children, and they live in one of the poorest areas of the city. They are unemployed. But in the midst of their need, they were serving a sick elderly neighbor in a wheelchair, whom no one wanted to approach.
Alirio and Cecilia fed him for several days until the local authorities learned of his case and came to take the old man to a hospital. What a great example! In the midst of this tension, of the crisis, of unemployment, of concern, the Christian rises to speak well, to bless, to inspire, motivate, to give words of encouragement and to act in the name of Jesus by doing what is good.
The Lord Jesus Christ prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:5). Let us not run from the evils of the world, but be helpers to others at this time. It is time to serve, to preach, it is the time of the church, of the gospel, of the witness of the saints, that Christians show our light to the world, in the name of Jesus.
Prayer
Well-founded on your rock and established in you, Lord, let us be columns of support to those who are going through tests. We are your reference points. Keep us strong. Let us encourage those around us, starting with our families. Let us continue “giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
Study by Hector Barrero
First published on 27 May 2020 in GCI Update Devotionals https://update.gci.org
About the writer:
Hector Barrero is an elder in Grace Communion International, and pastors Grace Communion Bogota, Colombia.
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.gracecom.church under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church