Pastor’s Message for September 2021

Saturday is Laundry Day

For as long as I can remember, Saturdays have always been laundry day. I awake from my sleep, get my computer ready for my morning meeting, sort my laundry, and begin washing clothes. Throughout my time in pastoral ministry, I use Saturday as a day of sermon preparation and laundry. It has become such a constant in my life that those I meet with on Saturday morning know that I can only meet until a certain time, because Saturday is laundry day.

A few weeks back, my father and aunt came to visit me. I was excited to see them because I had not visited with my aunt in quite some time, and I always enjoy a visit from my dad. The excitement of their visit was tempered with a feeling of uneasiness. In order for me to make the most of their visit, I had to give up an important part of my weekend: laundry day. I can do laundry on another day of the week, right? Of course, but Saturday is laundry day!

I realized at that moment my desire to “stick to the schedule” at all costs would hinder my ability to make the most of my loved ones’ visit. That desire to “stick to the schedule” can hinder us as we continue to serve Christ in the world. In the verses below, Jesus is confronted with the same choice, to “stick to the schedule” and continue to minister only to the Jews, or care for a Gentile woman who desperately needed His help.

But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall….” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Matthew 15:25-28, NLT

Jesus was in the region of Tyre and Sidon when a Canaanite woman approached Him pleading for help for her daughter, who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not reply to her request, and the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away. When Jesus did reply, He told her He was sent by God to help the lost people of Israel. The woman continued with her pleading, begging Jesus for help. Jesus’ reply, although shocking, did not rattle the woman. She persisted, telling Jesus she was willing to receive the smallest amount of blessing Jesus could provide. Her daughter was instantly healed as a result of her faith.

What if Jesus had decided to “stick to the schedule” and not heal the woman’s daughter? Her daughter would not have received healing, the disciples wouldn’t have experienced the power of faith, and they wouldn’t have witnessed grace extended to someone outside the Jewish faith. On our faith journey, if we are willing to see interruptions as opportunities, others will experience God during times of hardship. The desire to focus on the schedule can lead to missing a God-opportunity in the midst of the interruption.

The power of faith, the power of healing, and the power of grace were all exhibited as a result of the woman’s intrusion. What God-opportunity have you missed because you were determined to “stick to the schedule?”

Saturday is laundry day, unless God decides otherwise.

God’s blessings in all we do,
Pastor Ross