Filling the need

From today's reading: "I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world." Revelation 3:8b, 10

All of the readings today are apocalyptic - that is - talking about the end times. Since we do not know the time or the hour of the end, then we must find new ways of interpreting these scriptures to have meaning for us today. Today's reading from the Revelation of John is from the message to the Christian church at Philadelphia (in Asia, not the US). This is a word of favor for this church, that because of the faithfulness of its members, it will not suffer in the same way as those who have not kept the word.

I believe that it is a reminder to us that if we, as a church, are faithful to keep God's word, and to reach out in love to those around us who are in need so that they may be blessed, then we will find that our own lives are enhanced, enriched and blessed, individually as well as collectively. It is our faithfulness in the small things that matters the most to God; simple things like folding the bulletins for Sunday worship, or sitting and talk to a visitor who stops by on Sunday morning. These are the things that God notices. We don't have to be big, or strong, or rich in order to be a witness to God's power working in our lives or to make a difference in someone else's life. God will take whatever we are able to offer in his name and multiply it to fill the need in his purpose.