“The best of all is, God is with us!”

– The Journal of John Wesley, ed., Percy Livingstone Parker, (Chicago, IL: Moody Press), 419

 

During this winter season, what is your favorite thing to do? Mine is having a cup of “Peppermint Mocha.” You can easily find it as a seasonal drink at any café. The reason why I really like Peppermint Mocha is that it is not only delicious, but it also reminds me of the one who is my center of life – Jesus Christ.

Let’s think about the main ingredients of a Peppermint Mocha. Espresso, chocolate, milk, peppermint. First of all, like Espresso, Jesus always wakes me up. When my Spirit is sleeping and I’m not able to find God’s presence or his love around me, Jesus always wakes my Spirit up. Also when I struggle with some problems, he always wakes me up. Then I can come back to the right path on which God leads me.

Secondly, like Chocolate, his love is so sweet. Since Jesus Christ loved us so much, he came to us. And his love has already prevailed in our midst. Also, we need to remember that as we spread his love by sharing what we have, serving others, and caring for one another, the sweetness of his love spreads out more and more to every corner of the world. Indeed, Jesus is love itself. So, once you taste his love, no one can make you stop.

Thirdly, like milk, Jesus nourishes us. As a mom feeds her baby, through his love, wisdom, guidance, teaching and words, Jesus nourishes us. We grow by his love in his grace and we grow up through faith in him.

Lastly, like peppermint, Jesus refreshes us. God created human beings from the dust of the ground, and he breathed life into each one of us, so we started breathing. Because of Jesus, you can be who you really are. When you have become weary, tired, or thirsty, his love makes you feel renewed or more energetic.

Likewise, Jesus reveals himself through every situation you encounter, every person you meet, and through everything that you can’t even imagine. I hope and pray this new year, you will find and experience Jesus in your midst in new and different ways. Happy New Year!

Pastor Ran

Posted in From The Pastors