Letter from the Director - September 2021
Dear sisters-
It seemed last year that many of us were prevented from going where we wanted to go due to Covid restrictions and personal sickness. This year sickness and fear of sickness still prevail. In addition, we have had devastating wildfires causing homes to be destroyed and many things to be cancelled due to heavy smoke.
Meditating in 1st Cor, Chap 16 this morning, it occurred to me many who follow Christ are prevented from going where they want to go (most notably John 21). In this account, it was Paul that was prevented from going to Macedonia then on to Corinth. However, he stayed in Ephesus until Pentecost because ‘a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me..’ (reading further, ‘--Yet many oppose me.’) 1 Cor 15:5-9.
How does this apply to us? Is there a wide door for effective ministry open to us RIGHT WHERE WE ARE? Of course! And so, precious saints of SYNC, let us be encouraged as we sew, sort donations, cook, teach, make phone calls, watch over finances, work on our website, contribute financially, and on and on… ALL you do is valuable – nothing goes unnoticed by our God. Not even the smallest effort will be wasted.
After assuring the saints, (‘Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!’), Paul encourages the church ‘Therefore, my dear brothers (sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.’ 1 Cor 15:58
We know that Paul’s heart was in tune with Holy Spirit. Let us take the Spirit’s encouragement through these words into our life. We may have to put aside the places (and opportunities to see people) where we want to go. We may have to ask, ‘your will, not mine?’ There is no doubt, we WILL face opposition as we stand for Christ. May we bear one another’s burdens and encourage one another as we look for ‘the wide door for effective ministry’!!!!!
Paul closes by encouraging the faithful, “Be on your guard: stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” I Cor 16:13 May this be God’s message to us as well.
Serving our Lord alongside YOU, precious sisters!
Pam K