May 23, 2025 Devo

Sundays are busy days for pastors. We sometimes have a MILLION things on our minds. We’re thinking about our sermons and last-minute illustrations. We’re thinking about whom we need to talk to…and whom we don’t want to talk to! We’re thinking about announcements that need to be made, problems that need to be taken care of, and money that needs to be raised. And we’re often wondering what we’re forgetting.
But where our minds NEED to dwell is on the unfailing love of God. He loved us before we were pastors. And He’ll love us long after we’ve stopped being pastors. He loves us even when the sermon stinks, the announcements are wrong, and the people in our church don’t like the new sound system. God doesn’t love us because we’re pastors. He loves us because we’re His! In all that we must do on Sundays, let’s not miss this most important thing: The unfailing love of the Lord.
Come on, admit it. Many of you are just like us pastors. When you get to church, you think about everything BUT the love of God. Some of you will be thinking about that person who said that mean thing to you. Some of you will be thinking about that problem at work. Some of you will be worrying about what you think others are saying or thinking or discussing. Some of you will be thinking about how guilty you feel, how lonely you feel, or how desperate you feel.
Can I give you a wonderful alternative to these things? Let your minds meditate on the unfailing love God has for you. When you walk in the doors, remind yourself that God gave you a Family called The Church because He loves you. When the music starts, listen, really listen, to every verse of every song. Let those words be YOUR story of God’s unfailing love working in your life. When your pastor begins to preach, think about how God preserved His Word just so YOU could know how much He loves you. While you’re there, let go of your problems, let go of your distractions, and let go of all your fears, failures, and worries. Ask God to help you be bathed in His Unfailing Love once again. Let His Love heal you. Let His Love lift you. Let His Love renew your spirit and bring joy to your heart and peace to your soul. God doesn’t love you because you’re perfect or talented or popular. He loves you because you’re His. As both pastors and parishioners, we could be thinking about MANY things in church. But this week, let’s just think about One Thing: The unfailing love of The Lord. Because that’s the One Thing that changes EVERYTHING! That’s God’s Word for you today.