EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2021 I began a new venture writing a newspaper column titled "Finding Faith" for the Forum Communications Co. network of newspapers and websites. I was asked to contribute to the company's ongoing conversation about faith, lending a Lutheran and fairly ecumenical approach to the discussion. The column was published in several of the company's papers and websites, including The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. This column originally appeared as a "Finding Faith" column on Aug. 11, 2023.
By The Rev. Devlyn Brooks
Author Wendell Berry reminds us that big problems don’t always have big solutions, but rather often require a collection of small solutions.
With that in mind, we as faithful people are called to be God’s hands and feet in this earthly kingdom. And in the performing of many simple acts of love, that is how we will usher in the heavenly kingdom we all desire.
In other words, we are charged with being God’s ambassadors in a world that is rife with opportunity to serve our neighbors, both in the big and small.
That is the philosophy I generally use to guide my faith, both personally and as a pastor. As a result, I often find myself in the most amazing and unique circumstances in which to serve.
For instance, last week, my family and I volunteered to assist in a shuttle service for those with mobility issues at a large and well-known country music festival, known as WE Fest, here in our neck of the woods.
For four days, we used carts to shuttle those with mobility issues from their campgrounds to the music venue and back, and the experience was life-changing for all of us.
Full transparency: As a person who generally can move around without limitation, I’ve been ignorant to the many challenges those with mobility issues face navigating situations the rest of us take for granted.
And in a crowd of tens of thousands, you learn very quickly just how many folks live with such mobility issues, whether that’s being in a wheelchair, using crutches, or living with a multitude of health issues that limit one’s mobility. It is a large percentage of our population!
During the festival, our volunteer mobility service provided hundreds of rides, and we got to know some of the festival patrons very well. After all, when you’re riding across a large concert venue together several times a day, you have lots of time to share your stories!
Thanks to this experience, I was enlightened in ways for which I am grateful, and I have so many great memories of the heartfelt gratitude shared with us. Plus, getting to serve alongside my family makes me cherish the event even more!
Now I’m even more convinced that our only way through the seemingly charged and contentious times in which we live is one small act of love at a time.
From a pastor with a full heart, thank you to the patrons who made those trips so special! It was an honor to serve!
Also, I wish to thank the thousands of festival attendees who parted the seas to help us navigate carts through such a busy place. You also contributed to helping my heart grow!
Finally, to the folks at WeFest, thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate what being God’s hands and feet in action is really like! What a credit to such a cherished local institution! Bravo!
Devlyn Brooks is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and serves Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He also works for Forum Communications Co. He can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com for comments and story ideas.
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