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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-02-01, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018. From the Minister's Study Jesus loves more than y ou do: van Leeuwen By Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Blyth Christian Reformed Church "Jesus loves them more than you do." I read this sentence somewhere a few years ago. I forget who wrote it and I have never been able to find the book or article again, but that one sentence has remained with me. Over time I have come to understand that sentence in two kinds of situations. The first is not as positive as the second. I am as human as every other person. Being human, I like some people more than others. And, it has been my experience that some people are harder to love than others. By "love" I am referring to a deep compassion and desire to want the best for another person and to commit my life to ensuring that they have what is best. I should love my neighbour as myself, to quote Jesus. And that is sometimes hard to do. Like most people, I have a tendency to look after myself more than I look after others, rationalizing that if I don't look after myself I can't look after others. It is easy to forget that Jesus told us that our eternal God has made it his responsibility to look after us even while we care for others. In other words, we can give to others even before we look after our own needs. But I struggle with that. Sometimes I don't even want the best for others. I can't bring myself to care about their wellbeing nearly as much as I care about my own. When that happens, I am reminded of that quote: Jesus loves them more than I do. I could use that fact to satisfy myself that Jesus will care for others when I don't want to, but that is not what happens. When I begin to think about how much Jesus loves another person, that becomes motivation for me to love them as well. If he can love them, then why can't I? #1 And We Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985 I am thankful that when I don't love others, Jesus does. He is there to do what I often refuse to do. I am thankful that he will see to it that others receive the care that they need. And, often, that same thankfulness moves me to try to love more. Recognizing my own failings and rejoicing that Jesus does what I do not do is humbling, but also comforting. A more positive understanding of that quote gives me greater comfort, especially in relation to those I love. Sometimes I find it difficult to love others as I love myself and I don't do what I ought. But there are times when I love others very much but I can't provide all that they need. I am a parent, and I love my children deeply. But I am limited, and I can't shield them from all that life might bring them. Sometimes they will be hurt. I wish I could keep them from feeling the negative things in life, but I cannot. Of course, at present, the most negative things my children can feel, though painful, are not as significant when compared to what children in other parts of the world might feel. My children are not threatened by war or drought or terrorism. They live relatively good lives. Still, they can be hurt by others, and they can be hurt deeply. And I can't always be there for them. I can't always be there for my wife, my parents, my siblings or my friends either. I may love them deeply, but I am limited, as we all are. It is then that I remember this: Jesus loves them more than I do. And Jesus, who now sits at God's right hand, having conquered sin and death, is able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. He loves my loved ones more than I do. Now, as we well know, Jesus does not always shield our loved ones from struggle, tragedy, hardship or sadness. I wish that he would, but that is not his way, at least not at present. We all live in a world where the impact of evil is still very much felt in every life, including the lives of those we love. But Jesus' love for us is not limited to what we experience in the life we are given at present. Rather, his love extends beyond the grave to eternal life. For all who put their trust in Jesus, there is the powerful assurance that we will live in his .Mavvcied ictwIw Share your news by placing your announcement in The Citizen Call for pricing & details 519-523-4792 \or 519-887-9114i The Regional Ministry of Hope Everyone Welcome! Trinity Anglican Church St. John's Anglican Church BLYTH BRUSSELS 9:15 am 11:15 am MINISTRY OFFICE 519-357-4883 Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector ® email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The Regional Ministry of Hope COME WORSHIP WITH US! MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 We invite you to join our church family in: Worship & Sunday School - 11 am Coffee & Snacks following the service Come out and meet our new minister, Rev. Charmila Ireland Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Blyth United Church Est. 1875 Sunday, February 4 Worship at 9:30 am Exploring what it means to be Church beloved Community 5 ale"" hleaning =im tiik J ome =n 'safe 'safe exeilemanr iep coma :ro I]=� /�� ■ p �a�1a/,/ welcoming healing Imlag,. �. comfortable_MUSIC4",..0btogetherrreniog=oweIeomeinChsive =lessons as e — balance Miss vs - is upIilGng - c � sening . cua rest r helieve gj1=1 Hillary MacDonald OFFICE: 519-523-4224 presence and blessing forever. And that promise is not only for me, but it is for all those I love. Knowing that our struggles on this earth are momentary compared to the glory of eternal life enables me to keep things in perspective. Jesus loves me both here on this earth, and his love and provision will continue throughout eternity. And his love extends to those I love, and, as a consequence, I can be assured that he will do immeasurably more for them than I can do myself. I take great comfort in that. Jesus loves them more than I do. That motivates me to love others more as I follow his lead, and it gives me assurance that when I cannot do more, Jesus can. Jesus' compassion for this world and his willingness to give his life for not only me but also for others is a sure sign that his love is greater than mine. I need to work on my love for others, when I can. And I need to rest in the assurance that Jesus will take care of those I do love when I can't care for them myself. Thankfully, Jesus loves them, he loves you, more than I do. BRUSSELS United Church Get information on Huron County attractions on the Stops Along The Way section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca Welcome to Sunday morning worship & Sunday School at 11:00 am Hillary MacDonald (905) 246-7386 Macdonald.hillary@gmail.com Everyone welcome You're enuited a loin s e n kbrsnup SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH • Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen 08%.Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Sunday, February 4 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Winaham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph's Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N.