 I
was sitting in a large auditorium full of people in
the midst of a Ron Kenoly concert when all of a
sudden he walked my way. He stopped the concert and
said directly to me, “Sing Jesus Loves Me.” I looked
at him in disbelief. (he did not…yes he did) It is
amazing how many things can go through your mind in
a split second. (My life is a mess! There is not any
hope! Now God is embarrassing me by pointing me out
in front of thousands of people. Not only that, he
wants me to sing…I can’t sing. I mean…I really can’t
sing!) He said it again, “sing Jesus loves me.” I
embarrassingly, realizing at that moment, everyone
all over the auditorium is looking at me, stated
again, “I cannot sing.” With firmness yet gentleness
he said it a third and final time, “Sing Jesus loves
me.” Finally, reluctantly I did it. I sang Jesus
loves me just like I use to as a kid in church. The
singing was horrific! He even said, “You’re right,
you cannot sing” and then he went on with his
concert. As I sat there, I sank lower in the seat
and God and I had a one-sided conversation. “That
was really good God…embarrassing me in front of
thousands of people…but I deserve it…” and I wept.
Life sucked! I did not see any hope of life ever
being good again. I just wanted to die! Have you
been there? Perhaps you are there right
now…hopeless…almost lifeless. Easter means you do
not have to stay there! Easter is the greatest
demonstration of love ever shown in the history of
the world. Read this and think about it…what AMAZING
LOVE!
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of
God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.” For when we were still
without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one
die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even
dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. (Romans 5:5-8)
I thought God was embarrassing me when in reality He
was reaching out to me. He made me declare a truth
that is not only true for me, but you also. No
matter what you have done. No matter where you are
right now. The truth is: Jesus loves me…He loves
you! He proved it a long time ago and He still
proves it today.
|
I
did not mention it earlier, and did not know it when I agreed to
attend the concert. The title of both his current album and tour
were Welcome Back. The whole tour/album was based on one of his sons
who fell away from the Lord and then came back to the Lord. Ron
Kenoly had no idea that on that night in Louisville, Kentucky he was
reaching out to another prodigal…another seemingly hopeless cause…a
screwed up life…a failure…but God knew. He did when he sent His Son
to die on the cross and rise from the dead that first Easter
morning. He did when he spoke through Ron to me causing me to
declare before thousands how much He loves me. He knows right now as
you are reading this and He is reaching out to you.
He did not…YES HE DID…and I am so glad He did!
If you want to hear more about this love…the greatest love ever…join
us Easter Sunday as I speak about the love God has for each of us.
When you experience the love of God, your life will never be the
same! This Easter…there is HOPE! No matter what…JESUS LOVES YOU and
so do I! [Pastor Larry A. Crawford, Open Arms
Christian Fellowship] |
