You’re Worth Loving
This year St. Peter’s UCC in Grant Park is providing the book A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas by Max Lucado for our members to distribute to their families, friends, and neighbors as a small gift. Each book includes an invitation to worship with our church family on Christmas Eve.
Throughout Advent we are reminding everyone that they are worth loving! Lucado writes, “(Jesus) went from commanding angels to sleeping in straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that’s what love does.”
Each day, during Advent, join us for a journey to see just how much God’s love for you is evidenced in the story of Christmas.
Desert Conversations Lead to Gospel Proclamations
I’d like to introduce someone to you. If you’ve been in church enough you’ve probably heard of him before, but his name is John the Baptist.
No, John wasn’t a Southern Baptist, or Baptist as we interpret, but simply known as John the Baptist because he was the one who baptized Jesus, among others.
The first time we encounter John the Baptist was in the desert.
A desert is a place of little, or no distractions. They are lonely places, they are anxious places, they are places of testing of our faith.
This is probably why we encounter many Biblical characters notably coming out of, or spending significant time, in deserts.
In the desert, you have plenty of time with very little distractions, to think about the important questions in life.
What questions do you have of God and your relationship with Him?
Do you wonder if you’re worthy enough to be loved? Do you question if you can find favor with God’s love and mercy for you?
How many of us distract ourselves, or ignore, the questions about life and death, sin and grace, and about God?
You can’t afford to set these questions aside for a rainy day. Step into the desert and empty yourself of the distractions in your life and have a real, meaningful discussion with God.
When John the Baptist came onto the scene and came out of the desert he was ready to make real proclamations about Jesus.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John the Baptist declared. “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.”
Those words can be found in Matthew’s gospel, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 40:3, “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
While on your journey, stop and ask questions, seek and you shall find, find and then proclaim the Good News.
YOU are WORTH LOVING!
Prayer: Help us to step away from the busyness of life for some time God and spend it seeking Your Truth. May we wrestle with the toughest questions, be brave in our questions and then bold in our proclamations. Amen.