Deacon Marcianne’s blog – April 2023

Dear Friends,

Greeting in the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lent is a season when I profoundly reflect on what Jesus said and did for humanity before he was crucified. It’s a season of reflection on the sacrificial servant ministry, and what it takes to follow His example. Sometimes, I reflect on this topic through conversations with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

A recent conversation was with an incredible long serving Church Steward, who has been sacrificially serving God’s people from ‘the back of the church’. During our conversation, I asked if she would be interested in taking a centre stage and sharing her experience of her servant ministry in the church, where she got married 69 years ago. Her answer was simple but very powerful: “I don’t think that is my calling, I believe that actions speak louder than words; quietly serving others in humility following Jesus’ example, and behind the closed doors, is what I know to be my calling.” This conversation reminded me of an act of spiritual service and humility by Jesus. ’The washing of His disciples’ feet’ was a simple but significant example of the soul-cleansing that takes place when we follow Jesus Christ. By reaching down to His disciples’ feet, Jesus showed us that there is no task too low or too undignified for a leader who is ready to help and lead others for God’s glory.

Easter is not a story of popularity. Easter is a true story of the sacrificial servant ministry of Jesus Christ, who wholeheartedly and humbly served others to the point of death on the cross for the redemption of all. It is a true story of His victory and presence in and through each one of us, as His followers, whether from behind closed doors or from the front, the servant ministry starts from the heart in the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Happy Easter to you all.

Probationer Minister, Deacon Marcianne Uwimana