A Pastoral Word. . . Bringing Life
Pastor Kevin Freeman
October 5, 2023
On January 5, 2022, the Ocala Fire Rescue received an unusual delivery. It was a baby! Though unusual, the arrival of little Zoey was not entirely unexpected. The fire department had a Safe Haven Baby Box installed so that mothers in distress could leave their children there and know someone would care for them. What was a surprise was that six months later, Little Zoey was adopted by her rescuer! The man who opened the box and rescued Zoey had also been trying with his wife for a decade to have children.
A story like this brings a potpourri of emotions. We feel the turmoil that a young mother surely endured that led her to give up her child. Likewise, the years of longing this couple experienced must have taken a toll on their relationship. We understand little Zoey will have several questions and concerns of her own as she grows up. We also sense the joy this couple experienced as they welcomed this life into their family.
Zoey means life. This Greek word comes from a translation of the Hebrew word for Eve, the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). God, of course, is the One who brought Zoey to this couple. The Author of life brings life to each of us. Jesus made many claims about the life He came to bring each of us, as John records (emphasis added):
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).
“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NLT).
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31 CSB).
What strikes me most about Zoey’s adoption is that the adoptive couple simultaneously can give Zoey a life and enjoy the life Zoey brings them. Isn’t that the way it works? We are called to bring life to others, but in the process, we receive the life God has designed for us.
How are you bringing life to others? Paul explains that through generously sharing what skills and possessions we have, we receive life. Though aimed at the materially wealthy, these verses apply to us all (emphasis added):
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV).
How will you take hold of what is truly life?
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
A story like this brings a potpourri of emotions. We feel the turmoil that a young mother surely endured that led her to give up her child. Likewise, the years of longing this couple experienced must have taken a toll on their relationship. We understand little Zoey will have several questions and concerns of her own as she grows up. We also sense the joy this couple experienced as they welcomed this life into their family.
Zoey means life. This Greek word comes from a translation of the Hebrew word for Eve, the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). God, of course, is the One who brought Zoey to this couple. The Author of life brings life to each of us. Jesus made many claims about the life He came to bring each of us, as John records (emphasis added):
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).
“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NLT).
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31 CSB).
What strikes me most about Zoey’s adoption is that the adoptive couple simultaneously can give Zoey a life and enjoy the life Zoey brings them. Isn’t that the way it works? We are called to bring life to others, but in the process, we receive the life God has designed for us.
How are you bringing life to others? Paul explains that through generously sharing what skills and possessions we have, we receive life. Though aimed at the materially wealthy, these verses apply to us all (emphasis added):
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV).
How will you take hold of what is truly life?
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
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