Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47
How did they do it? How did it happen? How did this fledgling movement gain a foothold in a mostly hostile environment? On Easter morning the followers of Jesus had dwindled to some 20 people, people without power, money or position. And yet, 165 years later after severe persecution there would be some 200,000 Christians in the world.
In the year 321 CE the Edict of Constantine would make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. How could this be? The answer is found in the second Chapter of Acts. Here we have a window into history, a record of the characteristics of a movement that would extend to the ends of the earth, even to a small church in Freeland, Washington. There is nothing here about fine choirs, magnificent church buildings or endowments. The early church focused on the teachings of Jesus, telling the parables and stories of his life, modeling their lives on his. But there is more, the recipe for changing the world included community and purpose.
Humans long for community. Humans equally need purpose in life. We long to belong, to be a part of something, to come to a place where we count, where people know our names, where we are welcomed, where presence is acknowledged and our absence is noticed. Humans need purpose in life: a reason to get up in the morning, a mission, a calling, a part to play in something bigger than themselves.
They became the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. They shared their possessions with any that had need, they cared for the sick and dying, the poor and oppressed were given a message of hope. Their charitable actions spoke volumes to a desperate world. To quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
Community and Purpose: when either one is absent, then our world gets smaller and our minds retreat.
My prayer for you in 2026 is quite simple, I pray that you experience community and that you will live this year with purpose. My prayer for Trinity Lutheran Church is that we might be faithful to the vision of the early church; gathering often to worship and encourage each other and scattering to far corners of Whidbey Island as messengers of hope.
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
rvlindus@whidbey.com
