Scripture: John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Thought for the Day: Take a moment to ponder these words from Charles Dickens: “The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.” I have always believed that God didn’t start loving creation at the point in which the creation needed love. It seems to make sense that love was not only present at the beginning, but because it is the most powerful creative force, it was what brought forth creation. And it’s important to note that though we say, “For God so loved the world…”, the word in the Greek for ‘world’ is Kos’mos. That sounds a lot like our word cosmos. In fact, it is…and John’s Gospel was describing more than the planet on which we stand. It should really read, “For God so loved the universe…” which begins to challenge our limited understandings of love. God’s love is expansive beyond time and distance, stretching the 13.77 billion years of the universe’s existence along with the estimated 200 billion different galaxies. When you think of it in those terms, suddenly our discussions sound rather petty when we are trying to decide if God’s love can reach across some boundary of nationality or ethnicity, denominationalism or politics. That’s a no brainer.
Prayer: Lord God, it is impossible to fathom the breadth of the universe, yet even as I try to imagine the distance, it has expanded even further. Though because you are the God of the cosmos, I must believe that you and your creative love are found not only right here with me in this moment, but also one moment ahead of the furthest points of this amazing and expanding universe in which I live. Wow! Amen.
Tomorrow’s Worship
Genesis 1:26-27
