On Sunday this past weekend, we had planned to be at Life Church’s early service, connect with folks, invite all our worship leaders to our house for a feast, and then skeedattle to the furthest recesses of beautiful Uganda for a much needed three-day family getaway. It has been a relentless ministry schedule for the last six months, and with another mission team due on the red soil in a couple weeks, we were greatly anticipating concerted time together.
Packing and prepping for three days away immediately after returning from a four day conference for island church leaders proved to take longer than planned, and we not only failed to attend first service but barely heard the end of worship in the second. Good enough, the sermon series is on the importance of family relationships, so we felt missing some ministry for the sake of kiddo time was probably the godly thing to do.
The service ended promptly twenty minutes late and as I ran around the auditorium talking with the brethren I caught a glimpse of a young man coming towards me with an intent look in his eye. In one of those remember-who-that-is-and-blurt-out-his-name-before-thinking moments, I recognized one of the graduates from my four month intensive Bible course on the big island that concluded in early 2009. I had kept in contact with him over the phone, and he had visited the church a couple of times in the last four years. His smaller than usual features indicated a long season of sickness and hardship, and in answer to my initial “How are you?!” he declared that he is stronger now than ever given the difficulty he has victoriously passed through.
He said the main reason he came all the way to Life Church was to thank me for the time I and many other teachers invested him through the school. “I was only three months along in salvation when you found me. Without the foundation you laid in my life four years ago, I’m sure I wouldn’t be standing for Jesus right now.” His sprawling extended family has been pulling him in various directions and in a culture where family ties are of utmost importance, such social pressure could easily derail an ungrounded twenty-something.
His expression of gratefulness and request for further prayer to stand strong were a needed boost in my spirit. Often we sow seed in hope, and in the bustle of continual sowing fail to see the burgeoning fruit springing up in our wake. But here was a tangible example of the impact upon a soul who may never end up pastoring an island church, but may very well go on to study international relations and diplomacy and could potentially influence nations with the Gospel. Regardless of what he does though, the Holy Spirit has captivated his life and he won’t be swayed as he sets his face towards obedience to God throughout his life.
I’m glad I made it to church that day.
I’m glad I’ve made the effort to pour my life into others.
This is worth it.
