God’s Heart for Everyone

I am a pastor. I have a friend who is a convicted felon. We have been in the tight bond of brotherhood for more than a few years. Our life stories are very different, but in a special way, our faith stories are remarkably similar.

We both needed Jesus. Jesus came looking for both of us. Jesus found me in a church, religious and arrogant. Jesus found my friend in a jail cell, broken and humbled. We BOTH needed a Savior because we are both sinners. My friend jokes with me that it took the same amount of grace to save us both—SO TRUE!

Salvation is not a narrow invitation. It reflects the wide heart of God.

Peter writes, “The Lord is … patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

That’s God’s heart. He desires rescue. He desires restoration. He desires relationship.

I was eight years old when I first placed my faith in Jesus. But after that moment, I wandered. I questioned. I ran. I came back and then left again, and again, until I finally came to my senses and came back home.

But Jesus pursued me. He reminded me, “I saved you. You are Mine.”

I have a saying on the wall of my office that is precious to me. It is a quote from William Jay of Bath: “My memory is failing, but there are two things that I will never forget—that I am a great sinner and that Jesus Christ is a great Savior.”

If you’re far from Him today, hear this: He wants you. Salvation is His idea. It’s His initiative. It’s His gift.

And for those of us who believe, heaven will one day echo with one theme: salvation belongs to our God.

The miracle of today is that our life… no matter the story… can be all about JESUS!

Jesus, thank You for pursuing me. Thank You for Your patience and Your love. Use my life to reflect Your heart for others. Help me to share the hope of salvation with courage and compassion. Amen.

You are a miracle!