Luella Anderson, a member of St. John's for 80 years

Those who focus only on themselves often ask, “What am I getting out of life?” As believers, we need to ask, “What am I putting into the lives of others?”
 
Almost everyone has heard of Corrie Ten Boom and her hiding place in Holland where she hid refugees from Hitler’s murderers during World War II. Many of her experiences have become legendary, quoted in books and used in sermons. But I want to tell you a story that on the surface seemed anything but legendary, but became so personally exhilarating and fulfilling that Corrie included it in one of her books. It involved a mentally retarded boy named Hank. Corrie made it a practice to visit shut-ins and special needs people. The day she visited Hank, a wonderful spiritual scene unfolded. Corrie found Hank on his knees in front of a chair. Before him was a picture of Jesus, and Hank was singing, “Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus I come, Jesus I come. Into thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus I come to Thee.” Sensing the majesty and inspiration of the moment, Corrie joined Hank in the adoration of God. She later wrote, “I’ve heard Bach played by Schweitzer and anthems sung by gigantic choirs. But at that moment, I felt as if I were in a Cathedral with angels surrounding me.” Corrie’s simple visit gave her a sense of praise for the love God brings to those with special needs and the experience of joy and fulfillment in the service of Christ to others.

The Apostle Paul, no doubt thinking of the countless opportunities we have to share the loving, healing touch of Jesus with people, wrote, “Do not grow weary while doing good. . . Do good to all.” (Galatians 6:9, 10) Put yourself into the lives of others for Jesus’ sake. Not only will it allow you to saturate others with love and care, but in so doing, you’ll experience a fulfillment beyond compare. If I could bracket a certain segment of my ministry as the most meaningful and fulfilling, it would be the last eight months as visitation pastor here at St. John’s. To allow God’s love and His joy filled grace to flow from one Christian into the heart of another is the key to real fulfillment.

Here, then, is the bottom line: Let love show the way. Come! Join with me in this ministry to others. I have lists of people who would be thrilled with a visit from you. And the reward: In the words of Dr. Wilford Grenfell who served as medical missionary in Labrador, “Join me for a summer in ministry. I promise you an experience of joy, because it’s having the time of one’s life to be in the service of Christ.”
“Another day is dawning! Dear Master, let it be, in working or in waiting, another day with Thee. Another day of service, of witness for Thy love; another day of training, for holier work above. Another day is dawning! Dear Master let it be on earth or else in heaven, another day with Thee.”