PASTOR’S CORNER

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7 “Back to School!” Have you seen this phrase lately? How about “Back to work!” This time of year, is when we get back to the routine of school and work or we return to what the norm is. Some of us look forward to getting back to the regular routine, and some of us don’t. I have always thought that it is good to return to those things that are important in life. That is why I would encourage you all to return to the Lord! There is nothing more important than a relationship with God!

In 1 Corinthians 13 it talks about love which is really the defining word for God and in one part it says “it always hopes” in other words, love always hopes, or really God always hopes. Well, what in the world would God hope for? I believe that God always hopes that we will return to Him, and want a relationship with Him.

Have you noticed how evil our world has become? The animosity between people and the hate we have for each other is getting more and more seems like daily. Have you noticed how people do and say things that even 10 years ago it would galled us, and we wouldn’t have put up with it, but now, it just seems like society just shrugs its shoulders and says “oh well, what are you going to do?” The truth is without a relationship with God, it is so easy to have your soul tainted with more and more junk, and without even knowing it, our inner soul is dying. That is why I say it is so important for us to “return to the Lord!” It is way more important than “Back to School” or “Back to Work” to get Back in relationship with Jesus Christ! It is crucial! It actually is a matter of life and death! And it is what the God of love always hopes for!

The promise God has for people if they return to Him is so precious. He promises to give them a heart to know Him, and that they will be his people if they just return to Him. That means, the door is always open. The invitation is never canceled. You can never do too much where God just doesn’t want anything to do with you! No instead, He just continues to knock at the door of your heart saying won’t you please return? Won’t you just get “Back to what is real life?”

So, while we are in this season of getting back to school and work, let’s add the most important “back to” of all. Let’s get back to our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and never depart from it. It is my hope, and I know it is God’s hope that our churches will once again be full of people seeking to be God’s people once again. Hey, maybe I’ll see you at church! One thing I want you to know is that you are always welcome to come back to God!

(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)