The Never-Ending Love of Christ
Overwhelming is the first word that comes to mind. To say there is a lot going on in the world/nation right now is an understatement. With ALL that is happening, at the moment I’m thinking of the winter weather and now water woes that have paralyzed Mississippi, Texas and other southern states, unaccustomed to the bitter cold, snow, and ice.
Heartbreaking. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the news clips. In Fort Worth, TX, a recent highway pile-up of more than 130 vehicles caused by icy roads resulted in at least nine deaths. In Millington, TN, a ten year-old boy died after falling into a frozen pond. Here in Mississippi and all over Texas, thousands of people have been without power and running water for days now. As a result, in an effort to keep our community safe, The Redeemer’s School campus was closed the entire week. My heart breaks for the elderly, families with children, those fighting illnesses, and the many other vulnerable communities suffering from the harsh side effects of the winter weather.
Just one week ago, Rev. Ryan Dean, the Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Clarksdale, MS, gave a message to Redeemer Church. The sermon came out of Matthew 22:34-40. In this portion of scripture, Jesus is tested by one of the Pharisees who asks which is the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus replies, saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
In everyday life there is plenty of opportunity to live out this passage of scripture, but particularly in this present moment, when so many people have been impacted by harsh winter weather events. In the midst of the hardship, it is beautiful to see God’s people rally around one another to help their neighbors. A friend shared that a Redeemer member purchased cases of water to share with the community. Others have opened their homes, sharing electricity, water, and other resources. I can only imagine that there are many more acts of kindness stories like this!
On this side of Eternity, comforts like good health and bountiful financial resources are not guaranteed, but God’s children can hold on tightly to the countless promises in scripture. One of those promises is that God’s love is always, always, always with us. During these hard times, He is with us. In closing, I want to share Romans 8:35-39:
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In the midst of these challenging times, may the love of our Lord and Savior comfort you and sustain you. I pray that the body of Christ continues to shower care and resources to the many people enduring this present hardship.