WOV #723, "The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve"
Devotion
The Spirit sends us forth to serve; we go in Jesus' name to bring glad tidings to the poor, God's favor to proclaim.
This morning a group of 21 teens and adults from our church are taking off on a mission trip to Arkansas. We're going to fix-up houses, visit senior citizens, volunteer at a Special Olympics event and run a Christian day camp for local kids. We might even pass out a cup of cold water or two ... but most likely, any 'refreshment' we may give will be more figurative than literal.
Still, you don't have to spend 20 hours in a van to get to a place where you can reach out in Jesus' name. Our cities, our neighborhoods and our homes are filled with parched people thirsting for hope and peace. You have been washed with Christ's living water. You are still wet with the Spirit. How can you refresh our dry world today?
Prayer
Lord, send us forth to serve your world in need. Give us hearts of compassion, and hands willing to do your work. Amen.
"The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve" text (c) 1993 Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, admin. OCP Publications. Used by permission.