Ephesians 3:16-19
16听I pray that out of God鈥檚 glorious riches听he may strengthen you with power听through his Spirit in your inner being,听17听so that Christ may dwell in your hearts听through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted听and established in love,听18听may have power, together with all the Lord鈥檚 holy people,听to grasp how wide and long and high and deep听is the love of Christ,听19听and to know this love that surpasses knowledge鈥攖hat you may be filled听to the measure of all the fullness of God.
God鈥檚 love is a love that reaches deep down to the core of who we are. 听 This听is a gift and also a challenge.听 If we are open to God鈥檚 transforming love it will bring to light that which is held in darkness.听 That is what this听week鈥檚 Sexual Assault Awareness 鈥淚t鈥檚 time to talk about it鈥 emphasis is all about.听 I see God at work in us as a community finding faith and hope to have these conversations.听 Sexual violence is part of many of our stories and being surrounded by a community that wants to bring healing and hope in the midst of violence speaks to the love of Christ.听 I have seen God at work in conversations around sexual violence, in the Sexual Violence Response Working Group creatively and听 diligently听 drafting a policy and procedures, and in various bodies at Redeemer working to refine the recommendations.
This week, we begin Advent together at Redeemer (a little earlier than most!), and the theme is LOVE.听 Come to chapel on Wednesday and hear Dr. Syd Hielema speak to us about 鈥渨ise love鈥 and challenge us not to settle for 鈥渄umb love.鈥
In this season of Advent may God prepare our hearts and remove whatever hinders us from knowing the love that God has for us.