The Garage Door Opener...

So… yesterday afternoon found my wife and I climbing into the car in order to amble off and complete another list of the seemingly unending errands.  It was a little warm outside (according to our northern California standards – 95 degrees!), so I flipped on the air conditioner, snuggled down into our soft and cool leather seats and backed out of the garage.  Once clear, I spun the wheel to the right, hit the button on the garage door opener and began to accelerate away.  Out of the corner of my eye I hastily observed the motion of the garage door as it swung down and then grumbled inwardly as the door nudged the side wall of the garage and popped back open.

I quickly realized the silliness of being upset at the door, slipped the transmission into reverse and drove back.  Casting a sideward look and funny smirk to my wife, I opened the car door, pressed the button on the garage door opener once again and just as the door nudged the frame I gave it a slight push with my foot which resulted in the door’s completely closing.  Then I jumped back into the car and laughing retorted to my wife, “Sometimes you just gotta get involved!”  And then we were off to the library, the pharmacy and… to wherever else it was that we went!

This morning as I continued my study in the book of James I began to recall the incident with the garage door opener as I read a portion of verse 1:25, where the writer comments about the individual who “is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work.” (NKJV)  What “work” is he talking about?  He is talking about the “work” of the Gospel.  This morning I came to understand that Pastor James was not referring to the doing of good works in order to gain or retain your salvation.  Instead he was encouraging the Christian population which was “scattered abroad” (James 1:1 NKJV) to not just become comfortable in always going to hear the Word being preached, but to put into action in the communities in which they lived, what that Word was teaching them to do and to be.

For example… In my over 32 years of active ministry leadership, I have served as an Assistant Pastor in six different churches.  During that time I have worked in what I like to term the “back room ministries” with the children, youth and both the younger and older singles groups.  In all of those churches with the exception of the very first one where the Pastor continually expressed his vision for the entire family, it was always like pulling teeth to get volunteers from the congregation to assist us.  And while I understand that this is a common difficulty in churches, it would seem to me that if we took James’ words in the above scripture to heart, that the need for volunteers in the church would be the exception rather than the rule.  It was always disheartening for me and the volunteer teams that we could put together to be continually greeted after the services by adults coming out of the main auditorium with the words “Boy, you sure missed a good word today!”

My little adventure of having to move out of the comfort of our air-conditioned vehicle yesterday in order to “get involved” with the operation of something that we take for granted everyday of our lives, proved to be a silly but yet vivid example of how we Christians can miss following James’ Pastoral words that he spoke from his personal observations of Jesus’ ministry on this earth.  Think about it… When was the last time that you volunteered to help in the Children’s Church services that occur every Sunday and Mid-week while the Adult service is in session?  When was the last time that you volunteered in the school in your neighborhood, or rang door bells up and down your street asking for donations for the American Red Cross, or other non-profit organizations (as my wife used to do for the March of Dimes)?

A few years back I worked as a loaned executive for the United Way organization and visited private and state government offices around the northern part of our county for two months.  Following that assignment I then volunteered for a few years on different committees for the organization.  That opportunity opened my eyes up to many of the needs within our own community and also gave me a voice into the lives of many people with whom I never would have favor with if I had not stepped out of my normal circle of friends and family.

You know… when you physically put to use the things that you have been hearing and learning from the Word, it cements the knowledge and blessings inherent in His Word in you personally!  It also makes you a “carrier” of the Good News!  So, I encourage you this weekend to go out and have a “garage door opener” experience.  Look for opportunities to “get involved” in the lives of those in the community around you.  Not only hear the Word… but “BE” the Word in action!  Have a good weekend.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting to DO for Him today?”