“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field (Matt. 9:38).”

Times like these are very impressionable in the minds of most people. It’s easy to lose hope in things when so many people are losing their jobs and some families are not as well off as they once were. Then there are others who take times like these to seek opporunity. Our small church group went to the food bank in Flagstaff to pack up boxes full of food to be distributed to those who are in need of it in these trying times. For some in the group, it was their first time to ever take part in an event like this. To them, they were simply giving of themselves for the benefit of another. And to all, they were caught up in the spirit of things; just happy and blessed to be a blessing.

Upon reaching the food bank, I could feel the anticipation among the members of Word of Victory church. Willingness had brought them there, and the workers had indeed come to the field. The assembly line had formed and fucntioned as smooth and beautifully full of grace as a symphony with its many members working as one. Two stood at a white folding table making boxes to pass down the line to be filled with dry cereals, juices, canned fruits and veggies, and other treats.

Personally, it was very similar to the work that I do every day of the week, but here the payout was much greater than money (”Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven… -Matt. 5:12). It was also a time for God to work mightily in the midst of His people. In doing things like this, God can bring His people closer together in fellowship and worship. “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matt. 18:20).” Truly, we were gathered in His name. We were there to do His work; to be His hands and feet. I dare to say that one of the most important things to remember about the holidays is that it is the season (an appointed season) to give.

Mark Hill (Northern Arizona Food Bank, Flagstaff)