God's work. Our hands.

Congregation Connections

Thought Prelude: November 30, 2008 (p. 3)

God's work. Our hands.

(1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

We plant. We water. God gives the growth. We are "God's servants working together." The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has claimed the phrase "God's work, our hands" as part of its identity. As a church body and as church members we identify ourselves as both "God's field" and as tenders of God's field.

There is good news packed in this passage of St. Paul's letter. First, we are "God's field." God will plant in us all that is needed for us to be fruitful. Second, we are tenders of God's field. Our faithful ministering in daily life is holy work. Third, we are "servants working together." We are not alone. All of us, neighbors near and far, are in it together, giving and receiving, accompanying each other. Finally, and most importantly, it is "God who gives the growth." In the face of overwhelming need, we can take heart. We are called to plant and water and let God take it from there.

Consider how "God's work, our hands" applies to the relief, development, education, and advocacy efforts of ELCA World Hunger and other ministries important to you.

--Sue Edison-Swift

photo: Vernas Gamatta, Malawi

Find this and other photos from my recent

World Hunger visit to Malawi and South Africa by

visiting www.imageevent.com/elcahunger