Shalom
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor. 9)
Ever wonder why sometimes saying “thank you” doesn’t feel like it’s enough? Even elevating it to “I am grateful” or “I appreciate what you have done” feels like it falls short.
Organizations like the Y have long wrestled to find ways to show appreciation towards individuals who have contributed to its cause. Dinners, plaques, poems, the naming of buildings, slideshows, social media posts, special events, and even presentations. All attempts to express heartfelt gratitude toward a person, family, and other organizations.
Jesus gave clarity to why we are so compelled to be thankful toward those who serve others when He was asked to name the greatest commandment. “Love God with all your heart,” He said. Then, without missing a beat He added, “ and love your neighbor as yourself”. By merging these two seemingly disconnected ideas, he reframed the understanding of service to his friends.
Three important connections were made by his comments: One, when we serve people, we vicariously serve the creator. Two, when we help a neighbor, we also indirectly serve ourselves. Three (this one blows my mind) when we help our friends, a bit of God’s image is revealed through us. Think about it, when we help someone, the part of us that is divine (made in God’s image) is on full display and others (the witnesses) are inspired! The Jewish tradition would say that we witnessed, “shalom”.
The Hebrew word shalom is mostly understood as a greeting that means "peace." However, "peace" is only a small part of its meaning. Shalom also means “wholeness or completeness”. I believe that when Jesus married the love of God and the love of man, he reminded us that it is in both that we model the wholeness described in the meaning of the word “Shalom”.
So, for your service and generosity to others, thank you for practicing shalom and inspiring us to do the same! Because, thanks to you…
- a preschooler will be ready to learn.
- a kid who is afraid of water will start a journey that might lead him to compete on a swim team.
- a teenager will break the cycle of poverty and go to college!
- a military family with limited resources will find a welcome mat at our YMCA.
- a youth will be developed at camp.
- a senior who has lost a lifelong partner will rediscover family again.
- individuals will achieve their goals, make friends, and find a cause that inspires them to serve.
I will close with a blessing given by a grateful cause-driven leader over 2000 years ago to those who supported his cause:
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor. 9)
Shalom!
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