Living in Christ in Action

The past few days I've been caught up in effects of the violent storms that have been rocking the south-eastern part of Southland. Farmers in our district have been particularly hard hit with lamb and ewe losses - the lambs from exposure and the ewes from milk fever. Everyone has suffered major losses. 

Pastorally, its been like trying to deal with grief on a large scale. The farmers and their families have been grieving over what has been happening. It's not that they treat their animals as though they were human; they just care for them, and hate to see them suffering and dying.

Venturing out into that world of anguish has been a challenge. The last thing I've wanted to do is to intrude, or to offer trite-sounding (howbeit, biblical) comfort. Frankly its the kind of situation that an introvert like me shrinks from. Nevertheless, it is a moment of great need, and of great opportunity.

Faced with this, I have found myself clinging to Christ with every fibre in my being. How deeply I have depended on him for the right words in a telephone call, the right tone and attitude in a visit. Sure, I've been conscious of my need to act; but I've been even more aware that I need the life of Christ in me and working through me to be able to act in the right way. It's been a very practical test case for the reality and dynamics of living in Christ. And he has proved faithful.

One very specific way I've been conscious of the Lord at work in me relates to gifts of  scorched, chocolate coated almonds! As I prayed for farmers and prepared to visit them, the thought of taking a small gift has come to mind. Usually that's the sort of thing my wife would think of, not me. But, in Nola's absence (she is caring for her aging and ailing mother), the Spirit of the Lord within me has drawn my mind to this way of expressing love and care. At least, that's how I interpret the very distinct impressing of this idea upon my mind. Given that, it's not surprising that in almost every case people have said to me, "Wonderful - they are my favourites!"

That, to me anyway, is what living in Christ is about.