by The Rev. Mary M. Finklea
LSC Board Member, South Carolina Synod Bishop’s Representative
The Lutheran Services Carolinas Board met recently to conduct the business of the organization. Board member Eunika Simmons opened our time together with devotions.
She began by asking a poignant question, “What is your why?”
She continued, “Why are you here? Why do we do the work we do? Oftentimes we get focused on the how, the what, and sometimes the who, but if we neglect the why, we are sunk. Even if we are doing good work, but neglecting our “why”, that will dramatically impact those we serve.
Colossians 2:2 states, “I want… hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the reassures of wisdom and knowledge.”
As people committed to serving the most vulnerable in our midst, including seniors, people with traumatic brain injury, veterans, children in foster care, refugees, etc., we want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that their richness is found in God’s amazing grace. Our desire is that all experience the healing and wholeness found in the abundance of God’s love and that our society demonstrates the kingdom of God.
The meeting included welcoming new board members, adopting our largest budget ever, and hearing reports about responding to the pandemic. With an agenda full of significant, momentous activity, we faithfully reflected and acted on why we do what we do.
So, today, I invite all of you to consider asking yourself that question, “What is your why?” and contemplate your motivations in your vocation, however that is, through your family, your job, your congregation.
I give thanks for our synod who, throughout many generations, is motivated by the love of Christ to support the work of our Lutheran institutions. For more updates on the work and ministries of Lutheran Services Carolinas, visit www.lscarolinas.net.
