By Pastor Don Schatz

You Are the Love of my Heart

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“My God turns my darkness into light.”
Psalm 18:28. New International Version

Sometimes sunlight pokes through a slit in a cloudy sky and focuses illumination on one object, while everything else remains gray.  Seconds later, the clouds close ranks and the bright moment is gone.  But the memory remains.  The memory still brings a smile of wonder.  The memory connects one to the way the image touched our souls with a gentle smile in the first place.

Sometimes, our sin puts us in an unwelcome spotlight.  When we are ‘caught,’ the black light of sin paints us in the garish colors of our concupiscence.  And it is not comfortable.  Yes, that’s an understatement.  It’s great when it happens in nature.  Not much when it happens to us.

And then….  Oh yes, there is an ‘and then,’ the greater light of the Gospel shines on us.  The voice of Jesus speaks in the Light.  “You are the love of my heart,” he says.  “Enter the joy of your Master.  You are Children of Light.  In fact, you are the Light of the World.”  Now, THAT is a spotlight!

Do not let anything move you from the spotlight of Christ’s love and forgiveness.  Immerse yourself in the Scriptures.  Be faithful in worship, devotionally and corporately.  Pray without ceasing.  Rejoice in the Lord; again, I will say, Rejoice.  Seek out and stay connected with sisters and brothers in Christ.  That fellowship is strengthening, community-building, and full of Christ’s Light.

God’s promise is to keep us in the Light.  The spotlight of his love.  You are the love of his heart.  Even the darkness of the grave is not dark to him.  Nor will it be for us.  Even there, we are in the spotlight of his love.

“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado