Shepherd's Heart 5/22/25
Confirmation… Baptisms… Mother’s Day… Father’s Day… Graduations… throw in a Birthday or two… possibly a wedding… this time of year can be filled with so many moments of celebration. Our calendar is filled with moments to celebrate! Each moment brings connections with people we know and those who we say hello to for the first time. Each a wonderful opportunity to be connected.
To be connected is such a Jesus thing. Remember His words in John 15, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This passage communicates to us that the lifeblood of our lives is Jesus. Acting like Jesus, talking like Jesus, living like Jesus…
With each conversation I have, I realize it is an open door opportunity to represent Jesus. Sometimes that is easy, and some of the conversations I have will be a journey into the “not so easy”. The not so easy comes in those conversations where someone is focused so much on what matters to them, or is fired up with anger over the politics of the day, or just is a bit “earthy” in their language always stopping to say “hope I didn’t offend you”, as I think, I am not the one you just offended, that would be God who’s Name you just cursed. At moments like that, it is so tempting to just abruptly end the conversation, walk away, possibly say something that would put that person in their place… but no, we represent Jesus, called to act like Jesus, talk like Jesus, live like Jesus.
Aren’t gatherings fun?!?!
Yes they are… with all the different shapes and sizes of people with their own personalities and beliefs… we are called to engage… not enrage. To be people who shine the light of Jesus, to show in our words, actions, behaviors, and thoughts that we are connected to Jesus as our true vine. That usually means we are not given the preaching platform to set someone on the right course, or to act as if we are better than them, even if they show signs of not understanding the words Jesus speaks in Scripture.
Jesus continues to guide us in John 15 as we read, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Called to engage… not enrage…
Have fun at all of those gatherings!
~Pastor Greg Wenhold
To be connected is such a Jesus thing. Remember His words in John 15, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This passage communicates to us that the lifeblood of our lives is Jesus. Acting like Jesus, talking like Jesus, living like Jesus…
With each conversation I have, I realize it is an open door opportunity to represent Jesus. Sometimes that is easy, and some of the conversations I have will be a journey into the “not so easy”. The not so easy comes in those conversations where someone is focused so much on what matters to them, or is fired up with anger over the politics of the day, or just is a bit “earthy” in their language always stopping to say “hope I didn’t offend you”, as I think, I am not the one you just offended, that would be God who’s Name you just cursed. At moments like that, it is so tempting to just abruptly end the conversation, walk away, possibly say something that would put that person in their place… but no, we represent Jesus, called to act like Jesus, talk like Jesus, live like Jesus.
Aren’t gatherings fun?!?!
Yes they are… with all the different shapes and sizes of people with their own personalities and beliefs… we are called to engage… not enrage. To be people who shine the light of Jesus, to show in our words, actions, behaviors, and thoughts that we are connected to Jesus as our true vine. That usually means we are not given the preaching platform to set someone on the right course, or to act as if we are better than them, even if they show signs of not understanding the words Jesus speaks in Scripture.
Jesus continues to guide us in John 15 as we read, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Called to engage… not enrage…
Have fun at all of those gatherings!
~Pastor Greg Wenhold
Posted in Shepherds Heart