Reflections on Volunteer Appreciation Gala

REFLECTIONS ON KGF Volunteer Appreciation Gala - Friday February 1

Wayne Laurie

Photos here: 

It was billed as a Gala event to say thank you to those who have given service to the many ministries of Kelowna Gospel Fellowship but symbolized even more.

It was billed as an evening of thanksgiving to those who volunteer at KGF, people who go about their service seeking no recognition.

We as Christian were given a new command  - To Love one another.  As Christ loved us, so we must love one another. And by this everyone will know that we are Christ’s disciples, if we love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Taking the time to show appreciation in the center of our city, not hidden away in our own facility KGF showed in form and symbol how to love one another.

Paul wrote a passage that many hear read at weddings but was written for relationships in the church.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."      ( 1 Corinthians 13:1-7)

The Greeks had many words for love, which, if you think about it, makes a lot more sense then the way we do it in English. I can say I love hamburgers and I love my wife, and one could think I put a hamburger on the same level as I do my wife. The Greeks were smart about it though, they gave "the world Philosophy 101, gyro sandwiches, the Olympic games, and four--count 'em, four--separate words for love." There is eros, the sensual love, phileo, the friendship love, storge, the familial love, and agape.

"Agape love is a willful, deliberate, I-choose-to-love-you love. (The Latin word is 'caritas' from which we get 'charity.') This love is not based on warm mushy feelings or even on a relationship. It is unconditional--just like the love fans have for their team even during its usual losing season." Agape is the love that God has for us. Agape is the love Paul is describing. Agape, that is the love we should have for each other as Christians.

THIS  WAS  AN AGAPE  GALA EVENING – Fulfilling  John 13:34-35

Wayne Laurie