This week on the Raised Catholic podcast, I continue with another reflection on my friend Jim whose life we celebrated this week. Jim had a rich life and example, filled with work and stories and quotes that will live on, but certainly one of his biggest contributions was the founding, along with his wife Terry, of My Brother’s Keeper.
My Brother’s Keeper is a charity which delivers the hope of Jesus Christ in the form of food, furniture, fuel assistance and Christmas presents to thousands of families in our community. At the end of each delivery, someone on the team will present a crucifix and explain, “We’re just the delivery people. This is the man who sent you the furniture.” It’s a beautiful, grace-filled practice that points always to the goodness of God.
As I reflect on Jim, I see how he was a delivery person in every sense of the word, in that he stepped back in order for God who lived within him to step forward. Jim never took personal credit, never centered himself in his work, never used his title(s) when introducing himself to anyone, always pointed to the goodness of God, and he was deeply curious about the person in front of him, too. Jim’s example of intentionally humble Christian leadership is such a sorely needed model today where ego and personal pride unfortunately seem to drive so much of ministry.
And it had me thinking about the things that God delivers to His people through us in whatever our vocation or ministry. In whatever good that flows through us for the benefit of God’s people, where we can we step back so that God can step forward?
Listen to episode 162: The Delivery People at the Raised Catholic podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts (or read the transcript) and then let’s meet back here in the comments. If you have a story about ministry-done-well, you know I’d love to hear it.