Dear Rose Park,
This past Monday, I went on a field trip with Simon’s first grade class. A few minutes after 9:00am, the three first grade teachers, along with an army of volunteers, led their students on a short walk to the north branch of Herrick District Library on Riley St. It was a beautiful morning and a lovely walk. Simon introduced me to a few of his friends who tried to inform me about a video game called Minecraft (I still have no idea what it is). As we sat down in the gathering area of the library and were introduced to the librarians, I was reminded of Acts 2 and thought of you all.
The two librarians, Ms. Adrienne and Mr. Rob, reminded the first-grade students over and over again that not only was every welcome at the library, but everything in the library is meant to be shared with everyone. The books, the board games, the educational toys, the movies, the building blocks, the pots and pans, the guitars, even the seeds for planting are meant to be shared with everyone. Sharing is one of the fundamental skills we teach our children and grandchildren, yet somewhere along the way into adulthood we stop sharing. We regress back into the thought process of, “it’s mine!” We, adults cling to our possessions with a white-knuckle grip so tightly that it’s a rare occurrence that we share our possessions with another. We’ve become skeptical and nervous allowing thoughts like, What if they ruin it? What if they steal it? What if I never get it back? burrow their way into our minds.
As Ms. Adrienne and Mr. Rob not only shared their time and talents with us, but also their books and toys, I was reminded of Acts 2. Shortly after the Holy Spirit descended upon a gathered group of believers, we read these words:
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 44-47)
The library is built upon sharing. It’s a shared space filled with items that are meant to be shared. The library’s functionality is based upon a community’s ability to share books, computers, and other resources. The library seems to be one of the last places where sharing is held in high regard. Similarly, the Church is meant to be a place of sharing. The Church is meant to be a shared space filled with people and gifts that are meant to be shared. The Church’s functionality is based upon a community’s ability to share time, talents, resources, gifts, love, forgiveness, mercy, joy and possessions with one another.
At Rose Park, we desire to connect the disconnected, empower the connected, and reconcile all things to God. Our connecting, empowering, and reconciling is at its’ best when we share with one another. As you continue in your week, might you consider those items (material or not) that you could share with someone. What are those items or resources that you have a vice-grip on? Where is the Holy Spirit softening your hold in order to more fully praise God and enjoy the goodwill of all people?
Because when we share, we’ll be drawn closer to each other as we’re drawn closer to Him.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash