For many years during my ministry and preaching, I kept in my Bible a small bright pink post-it that simply read, “You are loved.” This morning, I received an email expressing appreciation for the workshop, classes and sermons I presented last weekend. I also received this morning (electronically) a reminder of the seminar and activities in Guatemala two months ago. This morning I am contemplating God’s Word: when the Psalmist declared the beauty of the love that binds together brothers, he spoke in advance of the beauty of Christian love.
There are many ways to describe what God’s people do when they assemble for study and worship each Lord’s Day. We worship, we share fellowship. We sing, pray, study, and share the memory of Christ’s love and sacrifice–that which binds us together in our imperfections. I hope also this day as you assemble with God’s family that you will receive many reminders of the fact that you are loved. One benefit of our weekly (and more frequent) gatherings is that we are reminded that we are loved and valued despite our unworthiness. The body cannot get by without any member–all are important, all contribute, all are loved, all are needed. The world tears us down and questions the value of who we are and what we do in the kingdom.
On this Sunday, I remind you that “you are loved.” I guess that is part of my “preacher hat” as I strive to reflect God’s word to his people. I suspect you need that reassuring word from God, because I know how much I appreciate the words of love and appreciation.