SA50 - Faith and Works Can Lead to Righteousness

Livia tried to live her life in a way that reflected her love for others. She always attempted to put herself in a position to help, her acts of kindness were deeply embedded in the personality of the congregation.

Most days, rain, or shine, she could be found running errands throughout the valley, always available to shuttle friends wherever they needed. Sometimes, when she offered them a lift, they would push back, “Oh no, Livia, I don’t want to inconvenience you!” But Livia would insist, “It’s the car that does all the work; I just sit back and drive.” She was always more than happy to attend to the needs of those older ones around her.

Early one morning, she would drop off Sister Reynolds at the market, then pick up Brother Jones…, while driving him home, quickly stop by Brother and Sister Crane’s…, grab their dry cleaning, then drop Brother Jones off, before swinging past the dry cleaner and circling back to the market to find Sister Reynolds out in front, sitting in her walker, doing informal witnessing as she patiently waited for Livia to give her a ride home. It was a well-timed arrangement.

The highlight of her week was Wednesday evening, the Christian Life and Ministry meeting night. She would make several trips to ensure that everyone arrived in person at the meeting, then she would safely drop them off at the end of the night. As she made her rounds, stopping at the dear friends' homes then carefully assisting them out of the car, she would sit and wait as they made their way up the stairs and into their front door, before giving them the pleasant “toot” from her horn, and friendly goodbye wave, then making her way to the next drop-off stop.

Her efforts were tireless, fueled by a deep sense of compassion and empathy. For Livia, giving was not just a duty but a labor of love, passion, and dedication, not some kind of financial gain or obligation. She had a calling that filled her heart with purpose and joy.

Although most weeks were enjoyable and problem-free, on some weeks, the demands began to weigh heavily upon her. No matter how much she gave, it seemed as though there was always more to be done, like when Sister Alexander got sick, the trips to the pharmacy became more frequent and the time spent waiting lasted longer, her synchronized schedule appeared all but gone.

Livia felt so discouraged by the seemingly endless nature of the tasks she had to accomplish, she wondered if her efforts were truly making a difference or merely spinning her wheels in some endless cycle of need.

Yet, despite these doubts, she wondered if she could look at her errands in a different light. Could she view each act of kindness as a blessing and not a burden? It was an opportunity to explore the meaning of 1 John 3:18; to help the brothers and sisters who are in genuine need and to do good to our family, knowing that all of these efforts are things that God approves of and blesses.

She stopped focusing on the tasks and tried to find fulfillment in the knowledge that she was valued and being used by Jehovah to make a difference, no matter how small the contribution. This was the perspective she needed to spark that renewed energy and purpose to continue her work, day in and day out. Livia moved forward with the view that Jehovah was looking down on her, and she wanted him to find her “doing so”. (Matthew 24:46)

One particularly harsh winter, chaos descended upon the Lehigh Valley, the place that Livia and the Central Valley Congregation called home. The harshness of winter brought a wave of economic adversity for most of its residents; the most significant trouble or difficulty was the snow-covered, icy roads that made traveling into the valley impossible. After several major accidents and a tanker explosion, the state government banned the import of all petroleum products, including diesel fuel and gasoline, in an effort to deal with the situation. In time, many of the friends started feeling the pinch, Livia included. For she was experiencing the difficulty of finding enough gas to engage in her Wednesday, Kingdom Hall pick-up routine.

Despite her best efforts to stay vigorous in her desire of providing assistance where needed, it was obvious the need outstripped her resources. Slowly, her gas tank was whittled down to empty. It was hard to find stations open, and those that were, you knew instantly by the long lines encounter there. Livia got in line and turned off her car to save gas, ready to restart her engine and inch her way up to the pump, but when she finally made her way up to the island, she was turned away, as there was no more gas.

Livia questioned why things had turned so quickly; she was starting to worry, not only about her situation but also about the other friends that no doubt faced even greater need. Doubt crept into her heart, threatening to undermine the very foundation of her faith. But in her darkest moment, there was a knock at her door. Brother Crane’s son, Steve, pointed to his pick-up truck which had a 15-gallon drum of gasoline strapped to the back. “My father thought that you might need this gas if you were going to make your rounds this Wednesday to pick up the friends for the hall.” Livia was stunned as her face slowly eased, and she let out a warm smile.

She remembered the scripture at Romans 4:12 that reminded her to “walk orderly in the footsteps of the faith that her father Abraham had.” She was thankful that Jehovah had guided her, and now she held fast to her belief that even the smallest act of kindness could spark a chain reaction of compassion and goodwill, and with renewed determination, she led Steve to her car to replenish her thirsty tank.

Slowly but surely, the weather started to thaw, and the community began to return to normal, their faith was rewarded. The friends at the Central Valley Kingdom Hall rallied together, offering their support in ways both big and small. Resources poured in, and the acts of kindness each one experienced multiplied throughout the valley.

In the end, it was their unwavering faith that sustained them through the darkest days of winter. They learned that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Jehovah wanted them to enjoy the same blessings as Paul and James wrote about in Abraham’s example of faith, demonstrated by his works.

As spring blossomed anew in Lehigh Valley, and Livia emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before. Her faith was now as unshakeable as the mountains that surrounded the beloved gorge basin, but now the importance of having a faith that’s backed up by works was fully evident.

We witness the profound truth that our actions, our works, are a testament to our unwavering faith in Jehovah's promises and His divine wisdom. Through our deeds, we demonstrate our trust that His ways are supreme. By embodying this faith through our labor, we are assured of His acknowledgment, just as Abraham was recognized as His friend. Each act of kindness, every sacrifice made out of love resonates, forever remembered as a labor of love. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

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