Good News

I had several meaningful encounters during our church gathering today. Poignant vignettes, each one a flare heralding the sweetness of God’s love. As a collection, they seem a veritable shout of heaven’s promise. I am humbled to realize that these precious saints are my brothers and sisters forever. We are connected by the Spirit of God in mysterious ways that only the ages to come will manifest. The surety of it wraps me in comfort and courage.

I am comforted in the belonging, like a child who knows she is neither the beginning nor the end of matters. The story was unfolding long before and will continue to unfold long after I have gone home. Yet, my part of the telling is also forever.

There’s a boldness that comes from the knowledge of this truth. God called me into being for a reason, and I must go fearlessly about the business of spreading the Gospel. Jesus rose from the dead and sent His Spirit to enable His followers to carry the message: For God so loved the world that He gave….

Beautifully simple, isn’t it.

The gift goes on, from one generation to the next, adding to the family of God. And God is building His Church, one living stone at a time, fitted just so to all the others. The body of Christ is a reality, and I felt the strength of it today. As we came together, our small expression was united with all the other expressions of worship around the world, past, present and future. There we were, loving God and loving each other on a plane that is only possible in the Spirit of God.

We pray for each other through all the trials and tribulations. We rejoice together in all the victories. We add our faith to one another’s and witness the glory of God, which indeed will cover the earth.

Dear one, if you are in the midst of hardship, if you are mired in dailiness, you may think these words too ethereal to be much earthly good. I entreat you to build yourself up on your most holy faith and lay hold of the reality of “forever.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NASB) This good news changes everything.

Until next week, beloved, be assured of His love and let your life tell the good news.