October has come once again. Fall is upon us and the weather is a bit crisper. Time to set out the fall decorations, the mums, and pumpkins. And before long, we’ll be pulling out the comfy hoodies.
I’ve become quite fond of the month of October. It’s become nostalgic and emotional for me. Why? Because October 8 marks the anniversary of me beginning to serve alongside you all in ministry. Two years ago, I was blessed to be able to join Flora First Christian Church (FFCC).
When I shared this information in board meeting, one member of the board said, “Only two years. It feels like a lot longer than that.” I would agree with that statement. And he nor I mean that in a negative way.
Since becoming pastor of FFCC, we have been through a lot together. We’ve been through many good times. We’ve been through many tough times. But through it all, we’ve had each other. And we will have each other moving forward as well.
One of the great things about being part of this congregation is the fact that you have a great family to go through life with. We have memories to share with one another and we have dreams to share as well. We get to celebrate the highs and join together in the lows. We share hugs, laughter, and tears. We share in our disappointments and our achievements. We share love!
1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us: “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” But then verse 13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Throughout the years, we have loved one another. We have loved others. And we have loved Jesus Christ. In the future, if we continue to love with abandon, we will continue to do well. How do I know this? Because 1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” And verse 12 says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” We aren’t perfect, but we will do well by sharing love because in sharing love we are sharing God.
Our focus has been on Christ. Through that focus we have shared love. Through sharing love, we have shared God with each other and with those around us. Times have changed. Worship services and ministry opportunities have changed. But I pray we never change when it comes to keeping Christ first in our lives and church and may we never change when it comes to sharing love. After all, of faith, hope, and love, the
greatest is love!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Kim
