Message

John's Journal

A Loving Place To Belong?

We worked on this to be part of our logo about three and half years ago. After reflections from Church leaders and staff, we went with this motto/slogan, not only because many folks view this church that way, but also because we want to work to be more that way. Of course part of the problem is that folks have different ideas about being "loving." And there are folks, believe it or not who do not see us as a loving place. They may be right, because it is a high standard put before us. Something has happened to them, the church's fault or not, that has caused them to feel less than loving toward their church and feel that their church is less than loving toward them. It can happen when we fail to minister to someone effectively who has been ill or troubled. It can happen when you just don't remember someone's name or you forget to acknowledge someone who is near you. No one likes to be ignored and that is why we need to keep our eyes open and use our peripheral vision to be aware of who is around us and who needs our attention. Yet we are still not as lovingly aware as God is.

I find myself to be somewhat a hypocrite when it comes to loving. There are times I might say something or reveal an attitude that would appear less than loving. Can any of us come across to others as loving all the time? I try, but I fail. Some folks believe, that you are not loving, if you do not approve of them or what they did or are doing. But that is not God's love. God's love is there even without approval of who we are or what we do. Sometimes, love really is tough and decisions are made out of love that may not be interpreted as such.

Love is a two way process. Some folks just don't feel loved, because they have a negative self-image. For some it is difficult to accept love. Then there is always that "it's all about me" attitude that can take control of us and prevent us from seeing others and their interests. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: "Love is not arrogant or rude, love does not insist on its own way. Love is not irritable or resentful. Love doesn't rejoice in wrong doing but rejoices in the truth... Love endures all things." God's love endures me. God is a great and loving God who because of Jesus does not count my sins against me. If we could only do the same with one another then we will exist in a loving place.

There are still going to be moments and instances when the evidence will not indicate a loving place. There will always be challenges for us to rise above the moments of loveless behavior and human failure. It is a gift of the Spirit that works the miracle in us and our community. We are a community of imperfect and sometimes less loving folks who are trying to be "A Loving Place To Belong."

In His Love do I hope to be loving toward you,
John D.