Weekly Update // Pastor Durwood
I’m certain that most, if not all of us, have encountered a moment that made a positive life change in our lives. Maybe it was an unexpected mentor who encouraged us. Perhaps it was a stranger who somehow spoke to our life situation in such a way that we saw life in a different manner.
It happened in the first century as Jesus went from town to town sharing a message of hope, peace and joy that the people had never before experienced. It also happened when Jesus walked the shore and found a few men tending nets. He simply said, “FOLLOW ME.” Shockingly they did and the rest is history. It happened when Jesus came to the tax collector Matthew and asked him along for the journey. The “bug” caught, first a few and then the multitudes, and the name of Jesus became a household word in that region.
The contagious nature of God’s love in Jesus has been passed from generation to generation. What began with 12 disciples and a few friends has exploded into the Christian Church today! God’s love exhibits a contagious nature. I can almost imagine what it must have been like to have Jesus come close as he did to the woman at the well. Jesus KNEW her. He knew her sin and reputation and yet he calls her to sin no more. While others treated her like dirt, Jesus wrapped the love of God around her and she was TRANSFORMED! She is so overwhelmed by Jesus’ love that she immediately shares it with her town. That’s
CONTAGIOUS love. THAT’S LOVE WORTH SPREADING!
I don’t know about you but that’s how God’s love found me. Just a kid, couldn’t do much right, could find trouble no matter where it was hiding. Yet one day I heard about Jesus’ love and knew that was the kind of life I wanted to live. That CONTAGIOUS LOVE “bug” had me. Not perfect mind you, just forgiven.
I wonder, have you caught it? Do you know the awesome love of God that is yours in Jesus Christ? It’s contagious! It’s spreading! One by one people are coming to know Jesus as their Savior. If you’ve caught it, have you shared it? It’s not a bug to own, rather it is something wonderful, powerful and transforming that is meant to share. Catch it today, then pass it around to your family and friends. You’ll be glad you did!
As our Lenten Journey continues, may we all seek to know, embrace, and share the love of Christ with the world at our doorsteps and beyond.
Durwood