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HOPE
"A Self-Addressed, Self-Stamped Envelope"
A Winter Monday, half-rain, half-snow. What a way to start the week. Worked late, still have to go back out to do the grocery shopping. Looks like frozen pizza is on the menu for dinner because by the time I get home from the store I will be too hungry to actually cook—patience never was my strong point. And do you want to know how much laundry awaits? But then I remember to check the mail...both electronic and the actual mailbox. And I am loved! Someone wrote me a note, saying she’s just glad we’re friends. And there is a prayer request message in my inbox, along with two or three messages from people asking how I am and updating me on their lives, asking for prayers. And I still am getting holiday update letters catching me up on life developments (some very exciting) in HOPEr’s lives. Mail is a wonderful thing.

And HOPE is sending lots of it this year. Our second Ananias is out (after some frustrating delays), we have a weekly prayer request e-mailing, we gave the postal service at least an extra ten tons worth of holiday mail delivery, and I guarantee postcards and notes and letters are constantly getting addressed, stamped and sent.

Let’s use this to set up an analogy. We know God uses His children to get His word out—to do His work and be His physical presence in the world. As we send letters of encouragement and friendship to our Christian family, God sends us to be His servants—to do the things He needs hands and feet and mouths to accomplish.

But here’s the interesting and often difficult part: God won’t force us to go. He asks us if we are willing and can only use us fully if we say "Yes, Lord, send me." We’re told that we must give ourselves up to do His work, to be His servants, to let Him use us to do whatever He needs to have done. Easier said than done. But HOPE is going to try to learn. The willingness is there, that’s obvious simply by the volume of real mail that is being circulated between all of us—mail that promises to help, that promises loving support and encouragement, that brings the Lord’s joy and hope when it is most needed—we just have to learn how to use our energies...how to give them up for God’s use and purpose.

Wish us luck, and pray for us all to be able to respond to the Lord’s call: "’Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’...’Here I am. Send me!’" (Is 6:8)

God bless— Amanda Collis, HOPE President
 

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches 8473 S. Howell Avenue Oak Creek, WI 53154 

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