Shine On

Last month, ECHO broke through the 5,000 hits barrier on our blog site. It is so cool to hear from people from all around the United States and Canada knowing we have impact beyond the Eugene/Springfield region. We have had people contact us from Australia, South America and Europe...even Asia...South Korea specifically! How cool is that! What a privilege to be in dialogue with people from all over the world...some believers...some spiritually searching...some pastors with similar passions...some church leaders with differing viewpoints...some of different faiths...some with no faith at all...some artists...some poets... some musicians...but in the end, it's all good, as long as God is orchestrating it! In that we can have confidence. Along the way, we often get comments about ECHO and what we do...or don't do...and about our blog posts etc... We have some well meaning folks who have read their bible's, just enough, to "be dangerous", so to speak. I've been asked, "Doesn't the bible say that 'your right hand should not know what your left hand is doing'? I keep my giving anonymous... and so should you." Those type of "concerns" rise up when we post blog entry's like the previous one, "Looking Back-Moving Forward", which encompasses another entry from last year entitled, "Walk of Love". These entries speak of ECHO's efforts to relationally give and serve others, as Jesus taught. What some don't like, is that we actually "say" what we do and what we did. Usually that discomfort, is based on the "right hand-left hand" type of hyper-humility theology. (wouldn't being overly concerned about being humble...kind of be like...self centered...like campaigning for the 'humblest man of the year award'...feels weird don't it? But I digress...) Some actually believe you should never...ever...let anyone know what you have done or are doing...lest you lose "your blessing" somehow... because of your lack of humility. First, it should be noted, that "if" your motive to give financially, emotionally, in your time or abilities etc... is to be "blessed"...then you have missed the point entirely. Jesus taught us to do these things out of "love" for others, motivated by God's love in us...not for some self serving attainment of blessing for ourselves. Though the giver is often blessed as much (or more) than the recipient, that is not "why" we do it. Secondly, the bible verse about the "right hand-left hand" is vastly misunderstood...and mis-taught. Obviously, this verse is hyperbole...an exaggeration to make a point. Clearly it is impossible for your "right hand" to not know what your "left hand" is doing. So it is an obvious exaggeration to make a point. This is a common literary tool used in the bible. The issue, is not about the "knowing"...but it is actually addressing the issue of "pride...ego...self centered-ness". It is a verse that is boldly trying to illustrate the point, not to make your giving "about you". If, as some assert, it is about "hyper humility" where no one ever knows what you do...then why does Jesus perform so many miracles in public...in front of crowds? Why did the apostles do the miraculous in front of thousands? Why would the bible say, "let your light shine before men, so that they can see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven." Do you see the inconsistency in what the bible says and demonstrates and what the "hyper-humility theology" folks think (that no one should know...ever)? In fact, the book of Acts says that people "saw how much they loved..." and were drawn to them. Clearly, people saw that same kind of love in Jesus also...and many followed Him because of it. The key is, are you doing it as a show for your ego, so people will glorify "you" or to demonstrate God's love in action...so that people "will glorify your Father in heaven." Maybe this world needs to "see more" of Jesus followers loving others openly? Maybe a hindrance to people being "attracted" is that they don't "see God's love in us", so they assume it's not real? That is why ECHO loves people in real and tangible ways...publicly and privately. We are not some huge group...we are a small bunch still learning how to experience and express God's love...not in "theory"...but in "actual expressions of love". That is why ECHO speaks of what God has allowed us to do...so that people may see "our good works, and glorify our Father in heaven." As Mother Theresa said, "love others always...and use words when necessary." For most people, the only expression of God loving them...may be you. At ECHO we see that as a responsibility...one scripture declares bluntly..."if you love Me, you will DO as I have taught you". Jesus said, "If I am lifted up, then all men will be drawn to Me." That is our call...that is our command...that is what we have been taught to do...love publicly and openly, so that people may see a glimpse of the God who is crazy in love with them!

April 2008, ECHO began meeting, giving and serving together... weekly. During that time, we have tried to "let our light shine" regularly...as we learn to experience God's love and to express it through our lives to others...here are some ways we have done that this past year:

-delivering a pizza to the home of a sick mom, so she doesn't have to make dinner for her family that night
-filled the cupboards with groceries for a single mom with 4 kids
-spending a Saturday at a families home sprucing up their yard...mowing the lawns...trimming the hedges and trees...pulling weeds...planting flowers...bringing in new bark o mulch...and taking over 1/2 a ton of stuff to the dump. This was done for a young lady with 3 young children who suddenly lost her husband a few months prior, to a medical complication. The yard probably was his responsibility each Spring...this year it was ours.
-filled up the gas tank of an out of work, single mom's mini-van
-raising some funds for a family with a mom/wife in the midst of chemo for breast cancer, to help offset the expense of losing one income for several months
-handed out blankets, gloves, & socks to the homeless during the winter time
-helping a single mom with 4 kids, who is recovering from serious brain surgery, get a bunch of groceries to stock up her shelves. While also getting a chance to be loved on by a few other women who care, letting her know she's not alone in the midst of her struggle.
-gave a family some gas money to help ease the financial pressures on their much needed vacation
-took a woman out to buy some clothes for job interviews to help build her confidence as she pursues employment opportunities
-stocked up cupboards with groceries for a newly single mom with 3 kids
-renting a moving truck for a local worship leader, who had lost his job at his church, so his family could move to a different part of the state
-providing a week's worth of prepared meals for a family dealing with the death of a parent
-helping a separated couple on the edge of divorce get to a "marriage intensive" therapy session, in another state, at one of the best places in the country, in the hope it may aim them in the right direction and equip them a bit to better to deal with life's challenges in their relationship and family
-sent thank you cards and some money to some area churches struggling financially, with some words of encouragement to them & their pastors efforts to expand the Kingdom of God
-someone having a BBQ for 20+ homeless people at Alton Baker Park one Sunday
-sent some money to a new church plant starting out of another church in town

Though, this is not every way we have "let our light shine"...but they are some examples...some small...some large...but examples I am proud to share. Not proud to share...as in "prideful"...but proud that a group of everyday people who call themselves ECHO...did extra-ordinary things, birthed in the love of God in their hearts...in hope that in shining God's love on some folks...that they may see those good works as expressions of God's heart toward them...and in that glorify their Father in heaven, as they are drawn towards Him. Sometimes love is expressed financially, sometimes by coming alongside in work and time, sometimes in comfort and compassion, sometimes in prayer, sometimes in laughter and sometimes in tears. That's a love ECHO is proud to pass on...express...and shine on! Pray for us as we continue to learn this kind of love...in action!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO