So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on earth. And I pray that He would unveil within you the unlimited riches of His glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with His divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside of you, and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measure that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! (Ephesians 3:14-19 The Passion Translation)
This beautiful prayer describes well my feelings for the beautiful congregations I have the honor to pastor. As Paul was overwhelmed by the magnificent love our Father was lavishing on His Children in Ephesus, I am overwhelmed by the same love as He has walks us through these very unusual days…
The Father’s love has been so evident in the way our congregations have held together and even grown closer during these weeks. Thousands of texts, phone calls, cards, facetime calls, zoom meetings, and face-to-face visits have taken place to try and fill the voids, as we have all hunkered down in the face of this viral threat.
Some have wisely isolated these past 6 weeks because of their own physical conditions—and even more often, because of their deep desire to not spread the virus to others.
Others have stayed home and learned the joys—and struggles—and being closed in together as family—even as others have made the best of being home alone by themselves.
Some have felt the freedom to meet in small groups while honoring the guidelines set before us by our State Government. Others have felt it better to wait until this thing passes more fully.
Some have felt freedom in wearing a mask; others have felt freedom in not doing so.
What amazes me is how we have accepted and supported each other in our various decisions, not judging, condemning, or getting offended—which are all Satan’s schemes to divide and conquer. Instead, at least from my vantage point, what we have seen is mutual respect and support and love pulling us together and closer even as we have had to stay apart.
Have we done so perfectly? Of course not—we are only human. Have I been the perfect Pastor during all this rapid change and pressure? Not even close. But as a Family? We have displayed God’s Love in remarkable ways that bode well as we continue to move forward into unchartered waters.
Father’s love is at work in us, and it is overwhelmingly glorious. This has not been an easy period, and it is not over yet—but it has been a rich time of growing as a house-church based congregation. It has been rich in terms of people checking on each other. It has been and will continue to be a rich time as we love with the Lord’s love each other as Family regardless of the situations and circumstances that swirl around us.
I really do kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on earth as I think about this wonderful Family!!
Our First Sunday back together in person will be at 10:00 May 3rd up here at our house. It affords people the opportunity to stay in their car, to mingle at a distance, or to get out and hug each other. A box lunch will be provided by Great Harvest Bread Company. It will be a day of GREAT CELEBRATION!
Comentarios