Good Sunday Morning,
One of my favorite sayings is credited to Harry Truman. Purportedly he said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” There are two reasons why that statement resonates with me. First, it implies that sometimes you need to do what needs to be done . . . even if you would “rather not” and, second, it requires that you do so with humility, in other words, without an ego.
We have also been taught by scripture to do that which is necessary, to do that which is right . . . and not to do so for the recognition or for some other form of reward. We have been taught to do what is necessary and what is right because it is for the better good. Remember –
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
If you ask me (and I know you would if we were together), the only appropriate limitation is ability; and even then, you should not be quick to say, “I can’t”, because chances are . . . you probably can . . . or, as first suggested by St. Francis of Assisi, “you can start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
And if all else fails and if you really, truly can’t, then you certainly have the ability to find someone that can; and then, that is what you should do.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and then . . . just do it . . . and take solace in knowing that the Lord has made this day, may you rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeff Bergstrom
P.S. Don’t forget your support for CLC, the community and the world by clicking here – Give | Christ Lutheran Church (ccbchurch.com)
P.P.S. Did you hear that Phil saw his shadow? So, does that mean only 6 more weeks of these Sunday morning messages?
