I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fulness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT

Devotional

This passage makes me think of the universe. Scientists say that it is continuously expanding and that they don’t know how wide, long, high and deep it is. God’s love for us is just like that, more than we can imagine and more than we could possibly understand. Dan Wilt, a musician, pastor and worship leader said, “God has taken the initiative in a relationship, to reveal Himself intimately with us and to passionately pursue us.” What should we do with this love? 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us”. God desires for us to respond to His great and amazing love. 

When we gather on Sunday mornings for worship, we are responding to God’s love by praising Him together as a community. During the week I can become bogged down with daily stresses, worries and the busyness of doing. But when I meet with our community I’m encouraged and strengthened. The acts of singing together, hearing others share their joys and concerns, communal prayer and listening to the sermon remind me of God’s love and His desire for an active relationship with me. Gathering and responding together as a community to His overwhelming love helps us to stay in love with God.

The Lord’s Supper or communion during worship is also very meaningful to me. The bread and cup are God’s tangible reminder of His desire for a relationship with us.  United Methodists believe that “ALL are welcome at Christ’s table”. No matter what we’ve done or what has been done to us. It doesn’t matter if you are a believer or even your standing in society. ALL are welcome to receive Jesus’ love, grace and forgiveness. The only thing we need to do is come and receive. When I see our community walk down the center aisle and receive that love I’m inspired to share it wherever I go.

Prayer:

Forgiving God, Thank you for Your grace and love. Thank You for accepting us just as we are. Help us to show others that same forgiveness and love.  Amen.

Written by Jennifer Roberts. Jennifer leads the children's choir and the beginning handbell choir. She lives in Ashburn with her husband Ben and their son Ethan.