What Kind of Trouble Can You Get Into?

Rev. Robert Mohns

by Robert Mohns

In the last months, I have had the opportunity to attend both the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (ABC District) convention and the National Youth Gathering. I would like to commend the organizing committees, councils, volunteers, leaders, and participants at these events! We are blessed by God to be provided with opportunities such as these to gather up the saints for the study of God’s Word, for worship, for times of prayer, for sharing inspiring stories and encouraging fellowship, and to grow in the awareness of the ministry’s joys, sorrows, and opportunities.

I am reminded of the importance of the various and diverse ministries of Lutheran Church–Canada. LWML and the youth ministries of LCC were instrumental in my formation as a Christian and as a pastor. You likely have experienced other LCC ministries that have played an important role in your Christian formation. Each of the ministries of LCC is a gift from God to His Church to be received with thanksgiving and supported through the dedication of our time, talents, and treasure. Please join the leaders and members of our various ministries in prayer that our Lord would continue to bless the work He intends to accomplish through them.

Each of the ministries of LCC is a gift from God to His Church to be received with thanksgiving and supported through the dedication of our time, talents, and treasure.

I am also reminded of the encouragement St. Paul received from the members of the Philippian congregation when they supported him. All ministry is of the Lord and dependent entirely upon Him. In His great concern for the ministry of His church, the Lord stirred up in the Philippian congregation a concern to support Paul’s ministry. God continues to revive His church’s concern for ministry today and to provide opportunities to help.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:10-14: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.”

Paul’s last statement begs the question, “What kind of trouble can I get into?” Or more to the point, “Whose trouble can I share in?” I pray that our God who is rich in grace, and who has filled us with His abundant grace and mercy, would grant us the awareness, opportunities, and desire to share in others’ trouble… for Jesus’ sake.

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Rev. Robert Mohns is Regional Pastor for Lutheran Church-Canada’s West Region.

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