Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.—Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)

 

Sharing God with others is something that I aspire to do but am somewhat shy about actually doing. 

For about three months, my ninety-three-year-old dad was in a rehab facility, recuperating from a hospital stay. On weekend nights when I came to visit him, Gloria, the security guard, administered the required Covid-19 test to all visitors. While we waited fifteen minutes for the results of the rapid tests, Gloria and I would chat, as she did with many others. She asked about the patients we were visiting and wished them well. 

It was a shock to me when one night, Gloria shared her own story: Her mother had just returned home from a hospital stay after contracting Covid-19. Gloria had little local family support and was plenty worried about her mother’s long-term prognosis—how she would care for her and to whom she could turn to assist her. 

I followed the Holy Spirit and without even debating it in my mind, I invited Gloria to my church. The next Sunday, Gloria was there! I was so happy to see her and introduced her to many other members. A minister prayed with Gloria, and several others offered her socially distant greetings. Even in these Covid-19 times, I was grateful for the opportunity for my church to show Gloria some love. And even more, I was thankful to be able to shed my fear and share my faith, which manifested in mercy, just when Gloria needed it.