In  Acts 16:9-15 we read about another example of “The Kingdom Comes.” The Christian today might be tempted to look about  and think that the Christian movement has run its course. But the Christian movement has always been empowered by the Spirit of God and built on the simple changes that God continues to make in lives like Lydia, the seller of purple cloth, who was given the gift of generosity.  

Perhaps it is the news of the church scandals or perhaps it is the lethargy than has settled in on many churches, but it seems to be open season on the Church and the Kingdom of God. The Christian may well be discouraged and wondering if this Jesus is still working in this broken down collection of failures, poverty and sinners called the Church. 

But let us be reminded that the work of God’s Kingdom is not measured in cathedrals and bank accounts, but in lives touched, blessed, and changed. Nearly everyday I hear from people whose lives have been touched and changed right here in our community because of the love of Christians in our midst who truly care and live the generosity of Lydia. 

There are countless communities like ours around the world that are touched by the works of the Church. Generous Christians are changing lives through loving and caring acts inspired by the Holy Spirit. This is not some defense of the institutional church, it is a redirection from the scandals to the real Church of God. Let us turn eyes toward the good which God is doing through us and away from the failures of humankind.

Stories abound at First Lutheran Church and elsewhere in relation to baptisms, shut-in visits, neighbors fed, or a person whose life has simply been blessed because God has worked something good in that life. I hope we are all inspired by Lydia’s example which shows how just one person can make a significant difference in a world so in need.