Last Tuesday night we were in Dillon for a baseball game and it was cold! Towards the end of the game I decided to walk to the concession stand to buy a cup of hot chocolate. When I make hot chocolate I simply open a bought packet of hot chocolate mix, pour it in the cup, and add hot water. On special occasions I may add mini marshmallows. Imagine my surprise when the lady taking my order asked, “What would you like in your hot chocolate?” Puzzled and intrigued by her question I asked, “What are my options?” The toppings included whip cream, marshmallows, and chocolate drizzled on top. As you can see in the picture, I chose all 3 toppings! The workers in the concession stand took a simple drink and went the extra mile to make it delicious.

During the Sermon on the Mount Jesus directed you and I to also go the extra mile.

““You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:38-42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do you go the extra mile? What are ways you show the love of Christ by going over and above for others?

Today is Water Walking Wednesday. I encourage you to read the entire Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Then think about ways you can go the extra mile. Intentionally plan a way to show the love of Christ today by going above and beyond. Let your service to others be like a fully loaded hot chocolate!

Traveling home from a soccer game yesterday, it was quiet in the car. This song played on the radio; Know You Will by Hillsong. Hearing it for the first time, I listened close. Some of the lyrics sing; “You’ve been good on every promise, from Eden to Zion, through every dead end, and out of that grave, I don’t know how you make a way, but I know you will”. This song makes me think about Joshua 21:45 and how all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

Over the last few weeks a lot has happened with COVID ramping back up, a lot of viral sickness going around, friends and family in the hospital. My heart has been heavy. As I got off early Friday for the weekend, I went for a run and enjoyed the sun as it was setting. The sun continues to rise and fall. This beautiful image of the sun shining between the trees and WOW, God created that! The way made between Eden to Zion is the same way today. As we worship on this Spiritual Sunday, worship with unswervingly hope. We read in Hebrews 10:23 NIV; “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Unswervingly, meaning to stay steady. Where would we be without scripture to look back on and hope to look forward with?

My 2022 mantra is to; “Live for today”. We also must hope for today. May our hope shine bright for those who just don’t see it.