23 Days to Christmas, Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025

“God’s Community”

The recent opening of the Chapel’s Christmas Garden was a great success, thanks to the dedication and commitment of lots of volunteers, vendors, and hard workers.  I was so pleased to see the garden full of people hoping to kick off the Holiday Season with a smile.  I was also stunned to receive a giant check from the Bayfront Pickleball Association, which has been collecting funds and Christmas donations to support the Longboat Island Chapel and our Outreach partners.

A year ago, our community was bludgeoned by Hurricanes.  With so much lingering damage causing gloom, we decided at that time to continue our Holiday Garden tradition.  On opening night a year ago, a few folks attended, hoping to experience a little Holiday Cheer during chaos.  This year, the same hard work resulted in a “Full House” grand opening. 

The difference between last year and this year is almost unbelievable.  A year ago at this time, Gulf of Mexico Drive was lined with six-foot piles of sand, debris, and rotting furniture.  Now, the entire island looks beautiful again, due to the tough work of countless people.

When effort like this yields positive results, it makes a difference.  When volunteers can witness the success of their work and sacrifice, it encourages others to help.  Those of us who are compensated for the same work are also proud, because we know how thankful we are to work for God by caring for God’s people and places. 

This little Christmas note is not intended to pat anyone on the back.  Instead, it serves as an example (or metaphor) for other places in our lives where we work hard and sometimes don’t achieve the goals we expect to reach.  Fortunately, every drop of sweat and blood we shed for God’s Community is counted, but not God’s invisible checklist.  Instead, our hard work is evidence of our heart’s desire, which is noticed and greatly valued by the LORD.

So, if you are among God’s special people who serve with your heart, hands, and feet in some messy places, be encouraged this Holiday Season.  You are noticed, and you are greatly valued.  If you don’t receive the rewards or results that you expect, take heart.  You are doing God’s work.  You are among God’s elite, not just because you are special, but because you love your neighbor as yourself.

“Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward;”  (Colossians 3:23-24a, NRSVue).