We invite you to peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.
By Optage Hospice Chaplain Julie Schaffer
“But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day! Does love happen just one time a year? No. Love continues on. Yesterday reminded us to cherish our relationships and to reach out in some way to express it. There are lots of ways to express our love to others. How did you express your love? Did you buy a gift, send a card, share a meal, spend time with a loved one or call someone?
Our love compels us to reach out, and to do something to express it.
I am reminded that God reaches out to us in a variety of ways. People feel loved by God through nature, animals, family, friends, music and food. God blesses us in many ways yet, there is a very specific way to experience God’s love and that is through His son Jesus Christ.
As it’s written in John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
God expressed His love for us by reaching out to us through His son. God’s love is so amazing. His love saw our need and he sent His son on a mission for us.
Jesus Christ resolved our sin debt, making it possible for us to have life beyond this one. In fact, we can’t imagine all God has prepared for those who love Him. There is a paradise awaiting where “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4a).
While God expressed His love and gave us His son, there is a receiving part. God hopes that we will take His gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23b). It is a gift that continues to unfold with more love … so much more as it is a relationship with our Creator who is love.
Chaplain Julie Schaffer serves Optage Hospice and Interlude of Plymouth. Julie has been a chaplain for over 20 years and has also served in hospital settings. She especially enjoys helping others in the next step of their journey and finding peace. She enjoys reading, nature and learning guitar.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
Find more in the Light for the Way series:
The pattern of calling: challenge, encounter, invitation and response
An eternal perspective
Get to know us: a Christian ministry
Introducing Light for the Way, a new devotional series
In addition to Light for the Way, you can find reflections, devotions, music and other resources on the Pastoral Care resources website.
