By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Trinity Church, seen here in my photo, is a congregation of Episcopal believers first formed in the year 1697.  The stately and ornate building stands on the corner of Wall Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan in New York City.  Although this particular church building is about 150 years younger than the first building, it is a beautiful historical structure to behold.

In the extremely neat and well-kept church yard, wrapping around both sides of the property, lie buried the bodies of notable characters such as Alexander Hamilton, his wife Eliza, and son Philip.  The graveyard and church building are completely surrounded by massive skyscrapers and countless people who pass that way as they go about their daily routines.  We walked up to purposefully explore for a bit.

Street carts carrying things like art, flavored teas, and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs are mere steps from the church’s front entrance.  Security guards are stationed at every door and gate to the church and graveyard.  It is definitely a church thriving within a huge bustling city.

In the world, but not of it.  That’s what we as the Lord’s children are commissioned to be.  While the world is literally steps away in all directions, with its hustle and bustle, we are to be light and salt – an extension or arm of His Church.

Whether you worship with a large congregation or in a church house as historical as this, or in a much more rural setting just off a tree-lined gravel road, remember that the world is very near.  And that world is filled to the brim with folks who desperately need to hear about and see the love of Jesus.  They are busy.  Many pass that way without ever pausing to reflect on the love of God or the compassion of His mercy and grace.  We must show them the way, be it in New York City or in your little corner of the world.

Just a thought.