9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~Romans 12:9-21
I had to spend some time this week sitting the Kia dealer to get some repairs done on my car. I don’t normally go to the dealer but there was a recall repair and a warranty repair in addition to a standard oil change which also meant that my office became the chair next to a window in the showroom on a cold and rainy day.
But while I was there, I saw a number of different people from all walks of life. One person who caught my attention was a Jewish man who spent his time at the dealership reading scripture; like he legitimately sat there with a book in his hands. I was sitting with my laptop listening to someone’s sermon and I thought, if only I had that kind of courage.
Even as a Pastor whose entire job is to lead others in making disciples while making disciples themselves, I often find myself “hiding” that part of me in super public spaces. I don’t know if it is a fear that stems back to my younger school years where I was bullied for being who I was, or if it is a fear based on the idea that others will judge me for what I’m doing.
I have no problem being a Christian and proclaiming my faith, but sometimes, it’s really hard to do that with all those little moments that might make a real difference in someone’s life. In fact, it was a sermon[1] that stated just that which sparked the recent revival at Asbury University in Kentucky. Zach Meerkreebs spent some time unpacking Romans 12:9-12. “13 verses, 30 commandments.” And it is impossible to live into all of them. Zack spent time unpacking what love is and the ways we have experienced love, both the good and the bad.
So what is it about the sermon that sparked people feeling the sweet, humble, and peaceful presence of the Holy Spirit? What is it that sparked a revival? What is it that sparked thousands of people to renew and reclaim their faith in very public ways?
Zach’s sermon reminds us that we are loved by God and that it is God’s love, and God’s love alone, that enables us to love others. So if you’re afraid of taking risks when it comes to your faith; if you’re afraid that you’re faith isn’t strong enough or that you are not enough to make a difference in the world, the answer is simple:
Let yourself be loved and God will do a mighty thing.
Blessings friends,
Pastor Nicole
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h53OnDR70YQ