Lay Leader's Corner

An interesting passage of Scripture for me is Luke 13: 34 (NIV) in which Jesus says:  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" I grew up on a farm where we had hens with little chicks and I can appreciate the descriptive language used by Christ. I have seen a mother hen gather the little chicks under her wings when she thinks there is danger. She also calls the chicks when she finds some special food she wants to share with them.

Christ taught using examples and language that His listeners could relate to and understand. I think that all Christians are called to follow the teaching and examples of Christ whenever and wherever we see the need. This is especially relevant during these times when it appears that often common values such as courtesy, love and concern and respect for others is in such short supply. As we read and study the life of Christ we know that He was unquestionably a great teacher but He also taught by example. We have excellent guidelines in Scripture and need only to follow Christ’s example and teaching. We can learn from the example of the mother hen and use our time, resources and love to gather, care for and protect others from the wrong places, wrong friends and give good sound advice when needed. We all know individuals who have played vital roles in our lives and we are challenged to do likewise for others.

In a recent sermon Rev. Alice Ford asked how people in the community would think of our congregation here at Millian. What impressions are we making on people outside of our congregation?  I pray that we will be thought of as a loving caring group of Christians who are concerned for and are willing to reach out to others as the mother hen Jesus mentioned in Luke.
 
 William L. Shelton, Lay Leader