4-3-2018

Good Morning All,

                   Ephesians 4:16; “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

     Most of you remember the television show “Cheers”.  As much as I truly enjoyed the show, its characters and the different story lines; I think it was the theme song that really drew me in.  A place where “everybody knows your name” is something that all of us desire.  In fact, it is a well-known truth that children and even adults will join gangs and experience negative attention rather than go unknown, disliked and unaccepted.  We, as humans, are by nature social creatures and desire companionship and fellowship.

    It is the devil’s goal to make you feel alone.  It is the devil’s goal to make you think that there is no one who cares or loves you.  The devil wants you to believe that you are just a number or so faceless, nameless blob that takes up space.  He uses this fear to drive you to think the only way you are acceptable is for you to follow him.  Loneliness is the devil’s weapon.  By making you think you are lonely, unlovable, unwanted, undesired and unknown; the devil seeks to pull you from God’s hand, to entice you from his love and warmth for the cold hatred of the world. 

    We see the love of Jesus, his death and resurrection for you, as the desire of God to bring you into his family, into the place where you are known.  You are called by your name; your hurt or sorrow is known, comforted and healed.  Jesus brings this to us through his Word and through his sacraments.  It is here where we find our hope, our identity and our peace.

    This is why it is so important for the church, the very body of Jesus, to be the place where everyone knows your name.  It needs to be the place that loves the hurting, loves the wounded, loves the nameless and the faceless.  It needs to be this because as the body of Christ we are to be the living, breathing expression of Jesus and his love.  We are to be the physical hands that hold, the voice that soothes, the arms that embrace and the shoulders to cry on.  We are to celebrate the joy, cry the sorrow and lift up the downtrodden.  This is what we are called to be.  We are to love one another, be the comfort of those in need and the safe haven for the lost, hurting and suffering.

    If you are hurting, turn to God for his peace and comfort.  You can find it where his people dwell.  If you see someone hurting, reach out and offer the hand of welcome and the shoulder of compassion.  Jesus desires that we be his presence here on earth until he returns again.  Love one another and know everybody’s name.  

Father of all mercy, draw us into your loving family.  Give us a home where we may find comfort and hope.  Keep us as a people that embraces those who hurt and offer hope to those who are lost and suffering.  Keep us in your arms.  This we ask in the precious name of Jesus, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret