[Friday's Devotional] - As if by Magic?

If you turn up at 10.30am on a Sunday morning, you might think that the service runs ‘as if by magic’.  I’m just using that phrase as a figure of speech; obviously ‘magic’ is not an appropriate word.  What I mean is that you might think that church ‘just happens’.

As someone who is usually there at least an hour before each service, I can honestly say that there is no ‘just happens’ about it.  There are people who set up sound systems, run video desks, musicians who rehearse, people who arrive early to make the coffee, those who come early to welcome, people who come to pray in order to bless others. On Overslade there are people who come to put out all the chairs and prepare the room (no small task for this congregation).  And all of this is to say nothing of the many, many other people who during the week have cleaned the church, sorted out finances, cleared drains, paid bills, restocked cupboards, kept records up to date, produced rotas, printed running orders, written sermons and prepared prayers. And all of these roles just focus around the building!  Beyond the building there are those who run small groups, meet to pray, work with young people, reach out into our community, serve those in need.

The moments when I have felt most blessed at m2o have been the times when I have felt like I am merely the conductor of a well-tuned orchestra.  My job is only to wave my arms about and keep everyone in time and playing the same tune!  Without every person playing their part a) I would look pretty ridiculous and b) we wouldn’t actually make music.   I suppose I could rush round and play each instrument in turn but it would never work.

ThanksGIVING: give thanks today for all the people who do things that are often behind the scenes.  And as this is my last devotional before I move on, I want to say personally a huge THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU to each and every one.  Church doesn’t happen as if ‘by magic’ but you guys are all ‘magic’.

PS. Is serving in any of the many ways I’ve listed one way in which could you give thanks to God for all that he has done for you?

Sheila Bridge