In December Midway First Baptist Church will celebrate 125 years of existence.
Midway is the first church I remember attending. It is where I learned about God and His Son from women like Mrs. Willie Ruth, Mrs. Fee, Mrs. Liz, Mrs. Debbie... these are just a few of the women who taught me in Sunday School or VBS, or even them small stint when we had GA classes. I can remember sitting at the little table in the blue room with rainbows on the wall and curtains that were printed with colorful hearts, and learning the stories of Noah, Cain & Able, and Jesus feeding the multitudes on the felt board. Pastors like Bro. Chris, Bro. Murphy, and Bro. Carmichal who preached the Word of the Lord to our congregation, provided me with leadership from a very young age, and taught me to listen and respect what the Lord teaches us from the pulpit. As youth, we were taught by our parents and others in the church , like Buddy and Karen, who loved us enough to take time from their lives to share His love with us through more than word, but action.
This was how I learned who He is.
Ladies like Mrs. Betty, Aunt Dena, Mrs. Catherine, Mrs. Lois and Mawmaw Cole taught me by example what it is to serve your church and your community. These dedicated women, and SO many more were (and many still are) always around to take care of the rest of us in the most simple ways, like preparing meals after the death of a loved one, decorating the church for holidays and events, or simply by meeting the needs of someone in the community by helping them pay a light or water bill. Pawpaw Cole, Mr. Bob, Bro. Brand, Bro. Kenneth, Mr. Benny, Mr. Jody, Mr. Pascall... these men have shown themselves to be dedicated servants to the church through their actions, whether it be mowing the grass, running the sound system, handing out bulletins, or simply always being consistently present. All of these men and women quietly set an example for the rest of us of how to serve others.
This is how I learned what He does.
Midway gave me the opportunity to go abroad for the first time. I'll never forget Bro. Ralph Brand encouraging me to go to Honduras just because I was taking Spanish 1 in High School... little did he know that because of that trip I went on at the age of 16 I would develop a love for the language and culture that would lead to a Bachelors degree in International Studies and Spanish. I remember being astonished that mom and daddy would even let me go on the trip, but they trusted those I would be traveling with from Midway and because of that God gave me a perspective and interest outside of my comfort zone. Outside of my red brick, protestant, middle class Southern community... He showed me true poverty, He showed me homes made from tin, cardboard, and plastic sitting on the side of a mountain, but at the same time showed me true joy in the midst of such need.
This is how I learned where He is.
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Last weekend, the church held a Homecoming service to celebrate the anniversary of Midway's founding and the theme was "The Lighthouse" I have a few observations from that service that I want to share. Honestly they don't correlate very well on paper... but they are things He showed me, and words shared from Him, so that's really all that matters, isn't it. :) Observation #1: Christians as a lighthouse, not a comfortable thing...:
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16)
Most sermons I have heard on these verses focus on the light, but I had a thought pertaining to the darkness. No, these verses don't specifically mention darkness... but how we should treat our "light," how we should share out "light," and how we should show our "light." The thought I had with all of this though is what importance does light have without considering the darkness. If we only think about our light, and don't think about where it needs to be... then what is the point of it? We have to think of the darkness to understand the importance of our light.
In Ephesians the Bible says that once we become light (5:8) we are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (5:11)" But in order to expose, one must go share it, and if God commands us to shine our light so it brings light to others... then it makes sense that we would have to do that in a place that needs it, in a place that has no light. We simply have to be careful that we are only exposing the darkness, not taking part in it or encouraging it. My pastor here in Birmingham said something once that I immediately wrote in my bible, and I believe it is very comforting regarding taking light into darkness.
{The will of God will not will not lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.}
- Dr. Danny Wood
So... if we are to truly be a lighthouse, and reflect His light... we may have to step out of our comfort zones to take the light to others... but it is important to remember, that He is in all things, because He creates all things.
Observation #2: Nothing Surprises God... so follow His lead and His leadership:
On the morning of the Homecoming service I was sitting on the front porch having my quiet time praying about some changes going on within the church... and as He sometimes does, God made me laugh. Here's how:
"Whatever one is, he has been named already"
(Ecclesiastes 6:10)
Plain and simple people - Nothing surprises God.
Often times leaders of a church make decisions that not everyone in a church agrees with or take the time to understand. Like good baptists we like to take a vote to see if anyone is opposed. But God doesn't work like a baptist business meeting. If every member of the church is opposed, but God is in favor... well, we are gonna lose out because He wins... that's just the way it works friends... God's Will will be done in all things, because ALL things are known by Him waaaaaaaaaaayyyyy before they happen. If we truly trust our church leaders, those who HE has ordained as leaders in our church, then we will trust their decisions and trust their appointments as well. I know a lot of pastors and a lot of people on staff at different churches, and they are all extremely prayerful about the decisions they make that affect others. Whether you have 1 pastor like Midway or 5 Pastors and 7 Ministers like Shades... we must trust their leadership for our churches, we must trust their relationship with our God and His ordained servants. If we don't understand a decision ask for an explanation from your pastor and discuss it with him, pray for clarity from God... and then support the decision. Because just like everything else in church, it ain't about us... our sole purpose in creation is to glorify God.
Observation #3: His timing is impeccable:
During the service there were several mentions of members of the church who have made an impact in their own ways. Bro. Kenneth mentioned that he missed Pawpaw Cole and Daddy... and everyone in our pews (Aunt Judy and her family, Mom, Shane, me, Aunt Lanell, and Kristen) immediately began crying... because missing them just doesn't describe how I (we) feel most days. My Uncle Terry, with a tearful voice, said the offertory prayer, and the following song was sang. As I said before, God doesn't do coincidence...
I will serve thee
Because I love theeYou have given life to me
I was nothing
Until you found me
You have given life to me
Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary
Your touch, was what I longed for
You have given life to me
I will serve thee
Because I love thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing
Until you found me
You have given life to me
He is the reason I can get through every day... because the parts of me that broke when Daddy died... He gave me life through that... He died on Calvary so that Daddy can be in Heaven right now and one day I'll see him again... He is the only reason I can do anything in this life... because He has given me life, and a purpose to serve.
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I've been at Midway on and off my entire life, consistently for the first 18 years, and when I'm home to visit for the last 10... I'm always encouraged and supported by the people there. I'm thankful for that lighthouse that taught me and showed me so much... that fostered and encouraged me to become the person I am... that supported me and uplifted me in prayers through the worst days of my life... I am thankful for the example, and commit to reflect that light wherever I am and where ever I go.
Love Y'all,
Kacey
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