An invitation to worship, this Sunday, and every Sunday.
Do you know anybody who’s discouraged or depressed? Do you know anyone who’s brokenhearted? Do you know people who might feel lonely or isolated these days? If you’ve ever felt any of these things—and I suppose all of us have—you know that’s it’s a pretty terrible experience. God made us all to give and receive love, and we flourish when we are blessed to be in relationships that kindle those flames.
But sometimes those flames flicker, turn to smoke, and die. I’ve seen it in marriages but also in so many other aspects of peoples’ lives. We can be discouraged wondering if our lives have any real meaning and purpose. We can get depressed when our goals and dreams don’t seem to ever come true. We can have our hearts broken when friends don’t reciprocate the friendship we offer, and we in turn feel rejected and alone again. These are common occurrences, but that doesn’t make them any easier to endure for those whose hearts slowly grow cold.
Jesus can help.
If you’ve read about his life and ministry in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the New Testament portion of your Bible, you can tell that Jesus loved people. And not just from a distance. He didn’t only love them from the cross; he also loved them in the streets, along the seaside, in the temple courts, and in the wilderness. One of the most beautiful things about Jesus is how he always seemed to emphasize the value and dignity of the people around him. He took extra time to make people feel noticed. He went the extra mile to help people feel loved. He spent his life gently fanning the fame and keeping love and hope alive for those who had nearly given up and had their lights go out.
Don’t give up on him. He hasn’t given up on you.
— Patrick Barber