FROM THE PASTOR
I have a confession to make. First, let me share, that it’s not often a Pastor has enough confidence in those who sit under his teaching to allow them to share in his inner-most feelings. But we’ve been together long enough that I’m confident you have me figured out anyways. So here goes.
I sat in the boat (there’s a revelation huh?) … I sat in the boat and found myself asking, “Lord, how do I learn to love you more.” Since the Lord knows the heart of men, I’m confident He knew exactly what I was making reference to. I love Him… but I really want to LOVE Him. Jesus announced to His disciples…
Matthew 10:37-39 (NASB)
37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
That’s what I’m talking about… good old fashion Agape’ (sacrificial love). Love that causes my soul to ache when I’m not in His Word hearing from Him, when I’m not learning more deeply of Him, or when I’m not sensing His presence in every day circumstances that draws me to Him. LOVE that makes me want to risk everything so one more soul will spend an eternity with Him. Lord, “How do I LOVE like that?”
Please don’t offer me standard ‘head-knowledge’… devotional… Readers Digest answers. I know them all… and while those types of answers have a measure of inspiration… I’m seeking God’s inspiration. The LOVE I seek can only be found in the responses Jesus Himself expected from the questions He posed to Peter 3 times…
John 21:15 (NASB)
15 …, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" …
Do I love Him more than _________? How important is Christ to me, really? Is He just my Savior or is He completely my Lord as well? And if I had to give up everything (maybe even just something), what would I try to hold on to tightest that would keep me from experiencing that deeper more profound LOVE for Him? And am I ready to release, whatever that _________ is, to experience such LOVE?
So, I sat for the longest… not sure how long. All I know is that by the time we were through I was half way across the lake and hadn’t made a cast. I’m not sure I got what one would call a crystal-clear answer but I did receive greater determination to seek harder… to be more willing… to look deeper Because to ‘LOVE Him more than all else’ is still burning within me.
Please Lord, don’t allow…
Mark 12:30 (NASB)
30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'
… to be just another verse hid among others.
Just an honest confession from an imperfect Pastor.
Thank you for your faithfulness. Pastor Larry
