YOU ARE THE GIFT

You are he Gift - Turning Enemies into Friends, Sharon Eubank

When I first heard this talk given live from the Marriott Center, I was immediately struck with how insightful it was. Sister Eubank beautifully married the ideologies behind Humanitarian work and Christianity to allow for revelation and self reflection regarding interpersonal relationships.

She began by discussing the idea of leisure time and how it defines who we are. We are not defined by how we act at work or school or even church, those situations require out best efforts and often result in scholarly, monetary or social benefits. Often times we do not have a choice on what to do or how to act in those situations since we must follow a strict schedule and must accomplish specific tasks. However, when we have our agency to decide what to do with our time, which is the case in our leisure activities, our true nature comes out. Do we choose to spend it participating in worthwhile activities or idle ones? Do we magnify our efforts and do our best or do we settle for mediocre results? And most importantly, do we choose to serve others and help them feel loved and wanted, or do we focus on self desires and pursuits? It allowed for a meaningful inventory of one’s life and activities.

She continued by going in depth on the concepts involving service and love for others. If we are to be effective tools in the Lord’s hands, and if we are to accomplish all that we need to with a happy heart, we must put others needs before our own and we must find all opportunities to serve and include others. It is only through these actions that we are able to change our heart to be more kind, charitable and humble. Consistently focusing on our own problems and needs will not solve them, but focusing on others will lift the burdens we have in our own life. We must also serve others with a pure heart and out of genuine love for them. No gesture, no matter how grandiose, will mean a thing if it is done selfishly or stubbornly. Combining these two attributes will bring our life joy and will help others feel the love of God.

The last point she made regarded the importance of relationships with others. With so many lives under upheaval and distress, a quilt or meal are extremely important, but it is the soul that suffers the most. She emphasized the fact that WE are the gift to others, which is why she used that phrase as her title. What is more important than simply help others, especially refugees, meet physical needs is helping them feel loved, accepted, important and hopeful. We are to make an extra effort in welcoming them to our communities, including them in activities, supporting them through life changing events. When we offer ourselves, not just a physical possession, to others, THEN are they able to heal and we are able to grow in Christ.

(A bit of what Verona has to offer)