Delighting in Doing

In the fictional village of Mitford, the mayor's slogan is "We take care of our own."  In the very real town of Blue Springs, it is understood that "We take care of each other."  We aren't perfect at it, but we try. In a way, that's the "motto" of the body of Christ, too. I guess it would be more accurate for the body of Christ to say, "We see a need and we meet it."  

I've recently been involved with a group of young ladies who are doing just that. They have seen a need and are meeting it. To avoid spoiling their surprise, that's all the details you get for now. Here's what's amazing about their effort. Once the need was known, everyone has pitched in to help. One young woman is good with lists. She made a list of the needs. Others are good with meeting one need or another on the list. Each has risen to the occasion to meet the need that most fits their abilities. Over the course of the last few days, what has happened is nothing short of miraculous. Almost every need is already met, and in a lovely, coordinated way. 

It's not quite time to "spring the surprise" but these ladies are so excited about being a part of what God is doing that they can hardly wait. In fact, I can hardly wait with them. They are delighting in doing, and it is a lovely thing to watch. 

Several verses have come to mind as I have watched God at work, but one has seemed especially pertinent. It's from the description of the virtuous woman...  "She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy." (Proverbs 31:13, 20 NASB).  That's what these young women are doing. Here's what's really exciting for me. These ladies are so focused on their task that they may not have realized they are doing something that comes with promised blessings. The last part of Proverbs 31 tells us the outcome for the virtuous woman, this helper of the poor and needy. 

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:28, 31 KJV)

What wonderful promises! Nothing that has been done was with the expectation of praise or accolades.   One day, though, they will receive them, and it will be icing on the cake. For now, the joy of service is all the reward they want.

They've seen a need and they've met it, and had a glorious time doing it. Maybe you should find a need to meet, too!