In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify

your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Spring is almost here, and I hope you’re ready for some spring weather! As we anticipate the Easter

season, let’s start now reflecting on the goodness and mercies of God through the death and

resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter reminds us of the deep love God has for humanity and how

He requires us, as His children, to express such love to the people around us.

In reflecting upon our church’s theme for this year, ‘Connections,’ I wanted to share a simple, but

profound story I recently read that should hopefully transition us into this season that focuses on the

unfathomable love of God and the love He wants us to have for other people.

A pastor and his wife were going on a mission trip, but they had heard a sickness was running through

the area. They got there and ran across a sickly kid. Someone in the crowd said, “I wonder if he’s

contagious.” 

The pastor — you’d think he’d want to be the big leader — kind of backed up, but his wife all of a sudden

turned around and went over and picked (the child) up, held him, hugged him, fed him, nurtured him and

eventually put him to bed that night.

The pastor said, “Weren’t you afraid you would catch what he had?” She thought for a minute and said,

“I wasn’t so much afraid of catching what he had, I was more concerned that he would catch what I had,

which is the love of Jesus Christ.”

Friends, in this year of connections, let’s ask ourselves, “How contagious are we?” and “Is anyone ‘at

risk’ of catching what we have – our love for Jesus?” God’s call to love others is audacious! We are to

put others ahead of ourselves; love people within our circles, and love people we don’t like (or don’t

even know).

Let Jesus’ command from John 15:12 ring true for us, “love each other as I have loved you.” As we find

ways to connect within our church and beyond, and as we approach Easter, may we allow the love of

Christ and our love for others to richly dwell within us.

By George Donkor



George and his wife, Christiana, are proud parents of Annajoy and Elijah. They love serving Jesus

together and showing Him to the world around them.