Lessons from theHeart
Reap what is sown
By Pastor Pam Ditson-McCall

McCall

Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV) - On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and showyourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him.And hewas a Samaritan.

Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?Was none of themfound to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

Then he said to him, "Get up and go on yourway; your faith has made you well."

Complacency - simply put is to be content to a fault, self-satisfied and even unconcerned about anything or anybody who doesn't directly affect our lives.

It is difficult to admit, but the reality is we all can and do become very complacent about our lives and our faith.

When it comes to our faith, if and when we have opportunity to be around a new convert to Christianity, their enthusiasmseems foreign, even frightening to us. Why? Becausewe have forgotten the joy of our faith, instead it becomes embedded into our routine of life. When we refuse to see the riches of our faith, and the blessing of our lives that God has granted us, we are like the nine lepers.

The story is told of a group of farmers many years ago who decided to eat their best potatoes and to plant only the small ones. They kept up this practice for many years, even though they noticed the potatoes getting smaller and smaller. They blamed theweather and the beetles and the blight.

They kept it up until all of their potatoes were reduced to the size of large marbles. The farmers learned through bitter experience that they could not keep the best things of life for themselves and use the leftovers for seeds. The laws of life and nature declare that the harvestwould reflect the planting.

This is the last article I write for the Comet. I have accepted the position as seniorminister in Frankfort and beginOct. 1. My prayer of thanksgiving is for all the countless blessings the town of Flora and Carroll County has given me and my family. My prayer of hope is that you all embrace and trust always in the love ofGod; forGod is faithful, true and always compassionate. Like the farmers, be sure to plant your very best for future generations…share the message of Christ Jesus with joy and enthusiasm. Blessing to you all.

Pam Ditson-McCall has been pastor at the Flora FirstChristian Church for the past eight years.