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A lot of things need to be done in a congregation. And
it takes each person doing his work, for the congregation
to be as successful as possible. As the old song says, "There
is work that we all can do.
" In this article, I want to remind us of a little thing
we can do as we go about our busy, day-to-day lives.
Make a Phone Call
It's simple to make a phone call, especially in the technological
age in which we live.
We have portable phones we can carry in our houses, and
while working in the yard. We can make a phone call while
sitting in a recliner or on the couch. We can call while
watching TV or doing practically any chore or recreational
activity.
Many of us have cell phones we carry around almost everywhere.
It's easy to make a call while parked in our cars, waiting
in a line, or doing most anything.
Call the Sick and Homebound
People who are sick and homebound are often bored, lonely,
and spiritually discouraged. Imagine what it's like to be
stuck at home, unable to go to church where your spiritual
batteries can be recharged. It's terrible -- that's what
homebound people think, at least the ones I know.
Calling someone on the phone takes very little time or
energy, but it means the world to someone who is sick, in
the hospital, or homebound.
Before my grandmother died, a young lady where she went
to church called her nearly every day. This simple gesture
made my grandmother's day. It "broke up the day" she said.
It made the day more bearable, and removed some of the loneliness.
There are a number of people in our congregation who would
love to hear from all of us every week. They're stuck at
home and can't get out, for the most part, due to their
health. If each of us call them once a week, whereby they
received a few calls each day, the trials of ill health
would be lessened, and their burdens would be lifted.
"What can I do?" you ask. Make a couple of calls each
week to our members who are ill and homebound.
Call a Member Who's Experiencing a Trial
Besides the trials of ill health, brethren who are experiencing
other trials need to hear from us during the week. You don't
have to talk long on the phone. You don't even have to know
what you're going to say. Just call to say hello, let them
know you're praying for them, and ask if you can help.
All of us experience trials. And they're a lot easier
to go through when we hear from our brethren each week.
When we're enduring trials, we need to know people are praying
for us, and we need to hear people assure us that everything
is going to be okay -- that God is in control, and He'll
bless us.
"What can I do?" you ask. Call a brother or sister who's
experiencing a trial. Let them know you are praying for
them and that God's going to bless them; then see if you
can help.
Call Your Friends
It's easy to call our friends, but sometimes we forget to
stay in contact with them, especially if we don't see them
often.
Often times, the people we have the best chance to influencing
with the gospel are our friends. Most people choose a church
based on family and friends who invite them to attend church.
Many people are looking for a church; they're waiting for
someone they know and trust to invite them.
"What can I do?" you ask. Call your friends, stay close
to them, and invite them to church.
The Telephone is an Effective Tool
We are more blessed than previous generations because we
can easily communicate with other people. The telephone
is an effective tool we can use to lift another's burden
and share the gospel with others.
"What can I do?" you ask. Use your telephone to encourage
your brethren, and bring the lost to Christ.
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