Shepherding in Mission

 Shepherding in Mission 

As an art teacher, former Special Education teacher for 13 years now, I feel privileged every day to have children in my care. To help teach them, to help guide them, and remind them that the world out there is tough. Sometimes when I stand in the hallway at my post, I think to myself, that face is concerned, I wonder what happened? I wish I had more knowledge about the situation. I think about the generosity of care, welling up in my chest, when I thought I had no more to give with my own family, extended family, church family, distant family, and those family and friends I wish I could connect with again. And yet, I have more love. Is this not what God feels? So many of us think about the generous nature of Gods love on Sunday, and advent services, and everything, but have you ever just taken an inventory? GOD LOVES YOU! 

I once had a class, it was either at Meads or Seminary, and the teacher talked about for every high, there was a low, for every low, God is always there, like the footprints in the sand. God was there, and carried us. As we look back, sometime to our own benefit, we forget how hard the obsacle was. How hard the times were, because we find solace, we find Gods Peace and Reconciliation. When I was a church planter/pastor in Detroit, we would tell people, and I tell you, sometimes we are tougher on our selves than God would ever be. GOD loves you, sees the potential in you, and calls you to action! 

Others need you! They need to know the wellspring of Gods love that can spring forth from you, and be a beacon on a hill, the signal community, the everlasting comfort to stand as the hands and feet in this world-NOW. God Comes to you. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior comes to you this Advent season. as every day, and every breath in your life. To encourage you. To love you. Maybe to say, what I see on sweatshirts in my hall, You are enough. You are beautiful. You are encouraged. As an art teacher, I see a sweatshirt that I so want to buy. It says “Broken Crayons still color” and I think with my artist hat, that sure is cool. My Teacher hat, I know it means “ This world is full of broken people who need to find their worth to fight the brokenness, and the heartache that leads to depression and mental illness. and to the Christian minister I am in Community of Christ, “Broken Crayons Still Color” Tells me of the sacrifice that Christ made, to teach us the worth in every life, His first, and in every soul that brings love from God, no matter how broken, no matter what drama, no matter what busy season we have before us. The Good news is God LOVES YOU. God continues to choose you. Let every other voice disappear, long enough to hear the empowering, forgiveness, and reconciliation, Jesus was broken for you. To forgive you, for you to know you are forgiven, and needed and loved.  

I am working on how I can share this with my students, with my community, with this mission center. My name Jacob, means supplanter, and I ask that you take heed. Study and know God Loves you. When you feel lonely or depressed, LOVE when you feel like you have nothing to give, create, share and care. Smile at the next ten workers you see at our gas stations, coffee shops and stores, as we hustle around. Pray for them. Breath prayers. Do it. She if God fills you back up, just as you are being carried by God already. You are truly Blessed.  

Submitted by: 

Jacob Blakesley 
Florida Mission Center  
Invitational Support Minister