As John closes out his first letter, he wants to drive home just a few things. First, loving connection to Jesus Christ is the foundation that everything else rests on. Second, overflowing from that relationship, we are called to be a blessing to the world in a way that overcomes the challenges, struggles and burdens that life sends our way.
It feels like one of the hardest parts of Christmas growing up was waiting. The Old Testament ends with a cliffhanger. One day God will send a Savior, who will fulfill a litany of promises and prophecies from the Old Testament. But when? There is about 400 years between the time that it is estimated the last book of the Old Testament was written and the arrival of Jesus. Isaiah 53 helps to paint the picture of the coming Savior, and why He was worth waiting for.
This week we get to hear stories of how God is at work in our community, women’s ministry, and through students making their profession of faith.
One definition of integrity focuses on who you are when others are not looking. Part of what this passage invites us to consider is also why we are doing what we are doing. Do we have a sense of why we are doing what we are doing that will guide us and ground us even if no one else is watching, or no one else sees, or we don’t even know the impact?