One of the most famous scripture verses is John 3:16. The verse is worn on t-shirts and written on banners at sporting events. While the verse may be used in harmful evangelism techniques, such as shouting at passersby on a street corner, the first few words of the verse hold much hope and confirmation for me: "For God so loved the world." The verse could end there, as I feel it encompasses the whole of the Bible: God loves the world - including you and me! Before we ever were created or did anything we thought might earn God's affection, God loved us first.
Likewise, in the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, we read these words in chapter 2: "Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, God embraced us." (Ephesians 2:4 The Message) These words from Paul remind us that God offers us immense mercy, which is unearned. God embraces us because God loves us.
This Sunday, my family is celebrating the life of my grandmother, Ganny, who died in November. Ganny knew God's mercy and love. Ganny taught me in turn that God loves me, and for that I am forever grateful.
My cousin, Charlotte, is featured in the video below. We are using the video in the service. In the video, Charlotte is singing the song "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," written by one of the founders of Methodism, Charles Wesley. Charles based this hymn on Ephesians 2 and the message of God's love and mercy.
I invite you to click on the video below and listen to Charlotte's voice and the hymn's words. As you listen, meditate on the picture below. It is a cut paper banner of an ocean and skyline. The ocean and its rippling water represents God's never-ending love of and mercy for you. Imagine yourself in this scene and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God today.
God loves you!
"Prevenient" by Hannah Garrity for "Again & Again"