Reflections from Larry Springer

Last evening was my first opportunity to sit down and carefully review the progress of the project through the blog record. First, I want to commend Miss Savannah on the outstanding reporting of the project. She is not only recording the facts of our history, but doing so with added insights that give glory to our Savior. Although Savannah’s gift is on readily display, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the “quiet” gifts that one would observe every hour of every day. I know, because, in years past I have been in the position of an overseer. In my life, it’s been a rare privilege to see the grace of God displayed in the lives of His people during this one week of the year. Not just by one’s or two’s, but by the masses. Not just here or there, or now and then, but from dawn to dusk, for an entire week. I think that is what I miss most about not being amongst you, at Lakeshore. It has always been a time to reinforce and rejuvenate my confidence in the reality of the Gospel. I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 

(1 Corinthians 12:14-26 ESV)

As I recover from surgery, this has been wondrously and painfully brought to my attention to me this past week. In my case, the hand cannot say to the shoulder, “I have no need of you." Do you realize how many muscles in the shoulder are engaged when using a keyboard? A lot—I guarantee it. In fact, I’ve have experienced aches and pains related to this experience, in areas that don’t seem to be related to my surgery. But our bodies are made of finely integrated parts. So is the body of Christ. As the last part of that passage states, we should be constantly in a posture of suffering or rejoicing together. Year after year, at home and at LBC projects, watching all the parts work together, has been a powerful demonstration of truth to my soul. I hope you find that to be true, as well.

I do have a prayer request that may be related to the suffering together concept. Deb Stuber and I spent yesterday afternoon in court witnessing the sentencing of a woman named Judy. This third offense has required her to be sentenced to State Prison, for a yet undetermined time. She has a husband and two children she leaves behind. Her husband is not a believer, but it appears that God has granted him the strength to stand by her. He has attended our church, when he is able. Deb and other women have ministered to Judy through the prison women’s bible study. If she is not a sister in Christ, she appears to be very near the Kingdom. She speaks of her dependence on Christ and the comfort of the Word of God. She will now be entering a more hardened prison population and will need daily strength to survive. Please pray that she will not just survive, but become a light in the midst of darkness. The sisters have constantly reminded her that, as difficult as it is to understand, God has placed her there and will not forget her need. If you can find time to bring Judy's plight to the throne of grace and mercy, it would be appreciated.

Larry Springer