Staying in Love with God

Staying in Love with God: The Key to Transformation

A short video I saw recently illustrated a profound truth. A street preacher on a bus was met with hostility—mocked, cursed at, and even slapped. Instead of retaliating, he responded with love, saying, “I know you’re hurting.” That moment changed everything, leading to an unexpected display of vulnerability, prayer, and connection. The preacher didn’t just talk about faith—he lived it.

This example reminds us that as Christians, we are called to make a difference. But how? John Wesley’s answer was clear: “Attend upon all the ordinances of God.” Yet over time, this has been misunderstood. Some see “staying in love with God” as maintaining a warm feeling of devotion. But Wesley knew that faith is not about fleeting emotions—it is about actively engaging in the practices that sustain us.

Wesley lived during a time of **great transformation—**the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and a new faith in human progress. Enlightenment thinkers believed people could achieve goodness through reason alone, without God. Wesley, however, held fast to a crucial truth: while people have potential, true transformation comes only through the grace of God.

This remains relevant today. Can people do good without faith? Many try, and we do not judge them. But as Christians, we believe in a power beyond ourselves. God’s grace doesn’t just help us do good—it empowers us to be transformed and to transform the world.

Jesus warned against faith that is merely for show. In Matthew 6, He criticized those who prayed publicly for recognition rather than true connection with God. If social media had existed then, these might have been the ones posting, “Just finished a 24-hour fast! #FeelingHoly.” But Jesus made it clear—faith is not about appearances; it is about true communion with God.

This is why Wesley emphasized spiritual disciplines: worship, Scripture, prayer, Communion, and fasting. They are not empty rituals but channels of grace. Through them, God strengthens, renews, and equips us to live differently.

Yet, how often do we take these for granted? Many around the world long for the chance to worship, pray, and take Communion, yet here, they can feel routine. But they are sacred gifts. Through them, God gives us the strength to be the people He calls us to be.

So, I encourage you: join our Ash Wednesday service. It is not just an annual tradition but a chance to be renewed and strengthened in God’s presence. We are called to shine, to love in ways the world cannot understand, and to remain deeply connected to God through the spiritual resources He has given us.

Let us live by Wesley’s powerful rules: Do no harm. Do good. And stay in love with God.

Amen.