Stretch Me, Grow Me

When I look at the goodness of God, I see Jesus. And the world should see Him too. But let’s be honest: they don’t see Him enough. Too often, His love is kept inside the church walls, shown only to those who already know Him. That’s not the kind of love that changes the world. 

Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Don’t even the pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:46-47 

We weren’t called to comfort. We were called to impact. It’s time to rise up and reach out. The poor, the broken, the lonely, the forgotten—they’re waiting for someone to show them the goodness of God. That someone is you. 

Yes, it’s easier to love those who love us back. But real love, the kind that reflects Jesus, is sacrificial, inconvenient, and sometimes messy. It looks like feeding the hungry, honoring a veteran, welcoming the outsider, and visiting the forgotten. It’s a bag of groceries. It’s a warm smile. It’s a check that keeps the lights on. It’s the goodness of God in action. 

Let’s not be stained-glass believers who only love within our circle. Let’s be the kind of Christians who love boldly, serve freely, and welcome everyone. Let’s be the reason someone believes Jesus is good.