My mom was
a great caregiver to our family growing up.
Whatever the need, she had a special way of meeting that need in just
the right way and at just the right time with so much joy while doing it. I really believe she understood what God was
saying in 1 Peter 5:7: Cast
all your cares on Him for He cares for you.
The first
word "cares" in this verse is a Greek word merimna, from a root word that means "to draw in different
directions or distract." It
signifies "that which causes this 'distraction', a care, especially an
anxious care." In fact, NASB
translates this verse "casting all your anxiety on Him." The
second word "cares" is from melei,
which has the meaning to "care with foresight and interest, rather than
anxiety." So God is telling us …
bring all your anxieties to Me, because they don't make Me anxious! He is perfectly able to handle all of our
cares.
The context
of this verse is interesting. It comes
right after an instruction to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God". To allow yourself to be cared for by others
is humbling - but God commands us to do so!
It is also humbling for our selves to care for others; a proud person is
not usually a compassionate person! In
addition, this verse is included in a list of instructions to those who
"shepherd" the flock -- elders, or in our language, pastors. God is clear that as pastors we are
responsible to humbly, lovingly and willingly care for the body. Each of our BCC pastors considers this a
great privilege… but it also can be a humbling responsibility, considering the
many members of our body!
I am so
thankful that in our church family we have so many people who remind me of my
mom in the way they care for each other.
As the hands of feet of Christ, you are tangibly living out 1 Peter 5:7
- showing foresight and interest in one another as we face the distractions and
anxieties that life brings. Recently a
Life Group member had to be rushed to the hospital to deliver their newborn a
few weeks early. The Life Group leaders
took over and cared for her and her husband all the way through their time in
the hospital, and even after they went home with the baby. By the way -- the baby is healthy and doing
well!
There are
so many more stories like this. As
pastors, we have a great passion to care for this wonderful body of believers,
but we need your help. One of the key
ways to help is through our Life Group ministry. A major component of Life Groups is to care
for the people in their small group. If
a person is not in a Life Group, then our Member Care Ministry makes touches to
see how our church family is doing and to encourage them to join a Life Group
to be cared for and to help care for others.
I think
most moms are like my mom in the way they care for their family. Thanks, moms, for teaching us how to care for
one another. I want to honor my mom this
weekend by caring for my brothers and sisters with the same love and compassion
that she cared for me.
Because He cares for us, we care for you.
I love you
Todd
Lead Pastor, BCC
