Training As First Responders

 

And let our people

learn to devote themselves

to good works,

so as to help cases

        of urgent need,

and not be unfruitful.

          Titus 3. 14

Selfless living

      and selfless giving 

  do not come naturally.

We learn by use and practice,

to pay attention, to engage,

to serve, be in the habit of,

ready to, and accustomed to

  seeing others as well as

  both visible and invisible needs. 

And responding differently.

               by finding joy 

    even in the hard work of grace.

Even if our work 

              is never acknowledged

              or recognized,

circumstances have changed.

     And maybe our own hearts in this.

Our practice of good works

       runs deep 

and forms something new in us.

We train to be first responders.

O LORD,

May our actions

help us to know You more.

May You help us to learn

to devote ourselves

not to a cause,

   or solution to the crisis,

           but to You.

May we be

          known as Yours

and bear the 

   love of Jesus in our lives.