Singing for Ezra

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (NRSV)

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as doe for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (NRSV)

Brian A. Wolfe lives in Pennsylvania. When Ezra came to their church, he and Brian struck up a friendship that led to many conversations and eventually a visit to his country home. But his health failed, and soon he was in their local veteran's hospital and nearing death.

One day Brian took his guitar and songbook to his bedside and sang hymns to him as he drifted in and out of a groggy state of mind. Ezra would open his eyes and sing along with Brian and then close his eyes and rest with a smile on his face. Brian played and sang quietly, not wanting to disturb any other patients. But as Brian reached the end of his visit, a nurse came into the room and said, "Could you play a little louder? The man across the hall is dying and loves to hear the music." Wow! How could Brian have known that the Spirit of God would use his simple act of love for his friend as a blessing to someone else?

Our acts of love and service reverberate beyond our imagination and become instruments through which God blesses others.

Prayer: O Lord, open our eyes to the needs of those around us. Help us to be your voice and your hands of love, in Jesus' name. Amen.