Pastor's Corner

My heart was made lighter when I visited a nursing home resident diagnosed with a terminal disease. As we were visiting, she shared how much she enjoyed watching the squirrels climb on the pole just outside her window. Her appreciative and joyful attitude was an encouragement to me. Right at that moment a squirrel came along and grabbed hold of the pole with all four feet, rapidly climbing to the top. I'd never carefully observed a squirrel climbing before, and I was struck at how firmly all four of the feet grabbed hold of the pole. It reminded me of the very person I was visiting. She was holding to the Lord as He was holding her. What a perfect example of what it means to love the Lord.

Because we believe God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, we grab hold of Him with all we have: our heart, mind, body, and soul. Jesus promises us that nothing can separate us from His love. He is worthy of our undivided loyalty and full-hearted devotion. He is worthy of our obedience. He is worthy of our appreciation. He is worthy of our life and He is worthy of our death. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them," (Jn. 15:23).