Clint Percefull - Children's Minister
This last Thursday for Veterans Day, Hadley's school hosted an assembly in honor of those who served. We invited my step-dad to attend as he served in the Air Force. Hadley was so excited he was going to be at her school and she couldn’t wait for him to hear her sing. As part of the performance all the kids in her school sang the armed forces medley which featured the song of each military branch in one song. All morning long Hadley had been singing and humming the tune of a particular branch of service. Come to find out, she loved that particular part of the song the best. We finally got to school and her grandpa set with us in the auditorium. She walked by and waved excitedly and had a constant smile on her face. It was time for the medley and she stood tall and began to sing the songs, all the while her Air Force grandpa beaming with pride. It came to her favorite part and she began singing louder, prouder, and even more enthusiastic for…the United States Navy.
We are equally grateful for all of the men and women who serve our country in every branch of the military. Hadley simply liked the tune of the Navy the best, it was her favorite. As I thought more about that I was reminded about how Jesus showed no favoritism. He was constantly talking with people who others thought He should not have. He placed no value in appearances or status, instead He spread love to everyone he came in contact with. We are called to do the same. It is easy for us to stay within our circles of family and friends who share similar interest. However scripture reminds us we are to show no partiality with it comes to sharing the gospel.
“My Brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘you sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘you stand over there,’ or ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and became judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man.” James 2:1-5
I challenge all of us to remember these words and show no partiality to anyone we come in contact with!
Clint