There is a spirit of excitement, anticipation, and hope in the air on the streets of Minden this week. It is St. Jude time in Minden, Louisiana and the auction theme says it all as the auction celebrates 50 years – Thank You for Being a Friend!

As I think about the St. Jude auction, the church universal, and our lives as Christ followers, I am reminded of a proverb I learned about in a recent Bible study. The ancient African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone, If you want to go far, go together.”

This idea is lighting the way this week as this community and beyond  looks to go far together in raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As the church and as followers of Christ, we too look to go far together in sharing the love of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:4-6 in the Message paraphrase says this, “You were called to travel the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.”

The Jewish people believe that anytime we do the smallest thing to love God and love our neighbor, we bring the kingdom of God down to the ground. The Minden St. Jude auction is bringing the aroma of Christ down to the ground. His love, kindness, and oneness. There is a spirit of unity moving together toward one goal this week.

This also happens in our lives as Christians, our roads my look different but, the destination is the same. Our lives intersect in Jesus. Our hearts align in and with His love and purpose. His way of community and kingdom living here and now. His way of love and life traveling together as friends along the way toward one goal – sharing His love, telling others about Him, and making disciples.

If you are familiar with the tv show, Golden Girls, you can’t help but sing the song rather than say the words.

Thank you for being a friend goes out to all the people, past and present, who have been a part of the Minden St. Jude auction, in serving and in giving. It is only possible because of you who give so generously of your time, talents, money, and much more.

Thank you for being a friend goes also to those people in our lives who have traveled the road with us, in times past or in the present. Each person a part of our journey.

Thank you for being a friend goes to Jesus who modeled for us through His own friendships what it looks like to love all kinds of people.

Let us seek to leave a trail of love and light as we do the smallest things to love God and love our neighbor as we go far together bringing the aroma of Christ down to the ground.