Shepherd's Heart 10/30/24
I’m just going to say it, dear church, we are less than two months away from Christmas! I know that seems impossible to some of you, or might make others cringe. Yet I do see some of you in the back already listening to Christmas carols and wearing your buffalo check – and that’s OK, we love you! Even if some of us aren’t ready, the holiday season is quickly approaching.
With all the hustle and bustle ahead, let us not lose sight that this is truly a blessed time where we can lean into something that Paul wrote about to the church in Colossae that is true for all followers of Christ.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
What does it look like for you to put on kindness, gentleness, and patience this season in the midst of endless shopping lists, festivities, and responsibilities? For me, I’ve had to learn to consider these things early in the season because otherwise, it’ll get away from me. I have looked back on some years wondering how I missed the heart of it all.
Here at Good Shepherd, some of the ways we put on humility and compassion are through the ministries we offer and the mission partnerships we engage locally and globally. Right here at 1310, we will be offering two “Surviving the Holidays” seminars during the first week of November. The first will be for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and the second seminar is for those who are going through the pain of separation or divorce. You can get more information on our EVENT CALENDAR. These seminars will provide a compassionate and safe space for folks to come and ready their hearts for the season ahead even while they face hardships and sorrows in their life.
This is what the church looks like when we come alongside people to provide care and support. Since Jesus established it, the church has been known for how it has sacrificially loved those in need. We can continue to live into such a reputation and build upon it by clothing ourselves in the ways of the Holy Spirit and then going out to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Start considering now how you as an individual or family will put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in the season ahead to shine the light of Jesus where God has placed you.
Pastor Pamela Palmer
With all the hustle and bustle ahead, let us not lose sight that this is truly a blessed time where we can lean into something that Paul wrote about to the church in Colossae that is true for all followers of Christ.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
What does it look like for you to put on kindness, gentleness, and patience this season in the midst of endless shopping lists, festivities, and responsibilities? For me, I’ve had to learn to consider these things early in the season because otherwise, it’ll get away from me. I have looked back on some years wondering how I missed the heart of it all.
Here at Good Shepherd, some of the ways we put on humility and compassion are through the ministries we offer and the mission partnerships we engage locally and globally. Right here at 1310, we will be offering two “Surviving the Holidays” seminars during the first week of November. The first will be for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and the second seminar is for those who are going through the pain of separation or divorce. You can get more information on our EVENT CALENDAR. These seminars will provide a compassionate and safe space for folks to come and ready their hearts for the season ahead even while they face hardships and sorrows in their life.
This is what the church looks like when we come alongside people to provide care and support. Since Jesus established it, the church has been known for how it has sacrificially loved those in need. We can continue to live into such a reputation and build upon it by clothing ourselves in the ways of the Holy Spirit and then going out to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Start considering now how you as an individual or family will put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in the season ahead to shine the light of Jesus where God has placed you.
Pastor Pamela Palmer
Posted in Shepherds Heart