Years and Gifts!

I was thinking last week about teaching Sunday School.  I believe that I started teaching in the John Wesley class about 25 years ago.  I just can't believe it has been so long!  Our children were in kindergarten and they will be 30 this year.  How did time pass so quickly?  When I volunteered to teach, my self esteem was at an all time low and I did not think that I could possibly stand in front of a group and teach anything (I didn't stand for many years - I sat!).  It is so funny how God works, isn't it?  He calls us to do his work and he equips us.  I still remember the very first book that I "taught."  I purchased the book from the book table on my Emmaus Walk.

It is amazing how some things have changed in that 25 years.  We sat in folding chairs around the walls of a small room on the second floor.  For the five years previous to that time, we had been in the "bowels" of the building - we literally met in a large closet for over 5 years!!!

Mark and I married in May of 1984 and the John Wesley class started in September of 1984 and Jack Allison was our teacher.  He faithfully taught our class for five years.  He and his wife, Polly, were just the right age to inspire us as young couples.  I can remember going to a pot luck dinner at their house and I can see us in my mind's eye. . .the women standing around in the kitchen . . .and the men somewhere else (out in the yard??).  We were all so emotionally needy (or maybe that was just me??) and we were growing and learning about God and what it meant to be married.

Now rush forward 30 years and we are in 2016.  We use tablets and screens and all sorts of fun stuff.  Who knew that this old lady could learn how to use all that equipment (thanks to Stuart - our young assistant communications director, who has the patience of Job!).

The picture below is from a couple of Sundays ago.  I arrived before early worship service to set up.  I couldn't get my laptop to project onto the wall so I snapped photos of all the important stuff and texted the pictures to Stuart, who was on the opposite end of the building, running the sound and lights for the traditional service.  Of course, it was simply operator error - I just needed to touch a button!!

This last week, I mentioned to the class that the podium  was not really large enough for notes and my tablet.  As I taught, I was actually flinging pages off to the side to make room for the next page.  Two wonderful guys from our class took the podium home to Jim's basement and made a new top - perfect size for a tablet/laptop and notes!!

What gifts has God given you?  Do you teach?  Do you make new podiums?  Do you sing?  Are you an excellent listener or an awesome encourager?  Has God worked in you to grow and develop the gift?

I love these verses from Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

p.s. This is "Lisa theology" . . .I've probably taken this verse out of context but I love the thought of God equipping us for his work on earth.

Let's be the hands and feet and eyes and ears of our Lord Jesus here on this earth.  Let's use the gifts that God has given to each us.