Yesterday, on the way back from the retreat, taking Mary Ann home, we saw the most gloriously vivid rainbow in the sky. It was as if we were entering into the throne room of God greeted by that double rainbow! God was literally making His grace visible! And it only added to the joy and thanksgiving I was already feeling in my heart aftermath of the retreat.

As I helped Mary Ann get into her wheelchair and into her apartment where she lives, she proudly showed me her apartment. It was so much better than a little rat hole she was living in before. And she and I both rejoiced in the goodness that God is showing to her. On the way back, I reflected on how, for so many of our church members, our church is the only real family they have….

Just a few years ago, I could not have imagined being where I am now. I would’ve never imagined that I would be a pastor to these unlikeliest of people to gather in one place. Where else would you see a Korean grandma saying “I love you” in English to an African-American woman in her thirties?

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

The tough part about it is that it is not immediately rewarding (to give). As a matter of fact, we are often left wondering, “Why am I keep giving and get nothing in return? How long do I have to keep giving? When will it be my turn to receive?” Well, the fact is that we have already received abundantly beyond all imagination. We have received the greatest gift in His Son! And if it doesn’t immediately hit us, it’s not because the gift is too small but rather too large! (Like getting a multi-billion dollar inheritance as a 5 year old…)

Let us rejoice and be glad; for this is the day that the Lord has made!

PH