Refunds, Rewards and Rescue | Keeping ↑ with the ↓ings

I know, I should quit with the alliterated titles, but titling blog posts usually takes me 20 minutes if my gears are sticky. I have to say, I’m excited about all I’ve been exposed to and learned in the past week or so. We had the privilege to volunteer at the Detroit Rescue Mission on Saturday. Our church family has been looking for a place to interact with the community and were very excited about their programs. They have 5 or so facilities that have 30, 60, or 90 day programs for all sorts of people. Some housed those in drug rehab, some just out of prison, and battered women and families. It was a blessing to serve, but also heart-breaking to be reminded of the lost in such a needy state. By needy, I just mean that their needs are apparent. The debilitating effects of sin on the world are fully manifested in these people’s lives. So often, money can cover up spiritual needs or dull one’s awareness of them–I even catch myself here at times. Mostly, I was struck by the words of Jesus:

“It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt. 9:12)

We had just read this passage in our Life of Christ class. I was humbled this weekend as I was reminded that all of mankind who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ is broken inside, needing a physician, regardless of the amount of money in their pockets.

Speaking of money, the IRS finally gave us our refund. We couldn’t resist finally crossing one of the items off of our wishlist: a chair! I know, it doesn’t sound that exciting, but it comfy, especially since we spend most of our days reading. We’ve been taking a financial class series by Dave Ramsey and that has been a great tool. We’re learning to budget well, save, and be better stewards of our money. Our future on the mission field will require us to know what to do with a check at the beginning of the month…and not end up eating only beans the last week of every month!

Another lesson we’re learning is on rewards–heavenly ones. I always thought that it was bad news to want them, but we’re actually learning that to care about rewards is to care about “how” you acquire them, which means caring about how God would have your go about His work. I know that was semi-confusing, but I’m trying to cram 2+hours of sermons into 4 sentences. It all plays into the verse we’ve kind of picked up as our motto of sorts, “For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things…”(Rom 11:36a). Rewards are a part of the “through” Him–your motives involved in how your go about your life, whether by compulsion or by willingness. I do quite a bit out of compulsion, which really doesn’t bring about blessing, it just staves off discipline! Like I said, 2+hours of sermons into 4 sentences doesn’t really do it justice.

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