File

File

Minister’s Message: What God wants you to know

Do you ever have those moments when you turn toward heaven and ask God, “What do You want with me?”

By Joshua Gorenflo

Do you ever have those moments when you turn toward heaven and ask God, “What do You want with me?” I’ve been walking with Jesus for 30-plus years now and still find myself returning to that question, sometimes in faith, sometimes in frustration.

Regardless of my posture toward God, His answer remains consistent. In fact, it has been God’s message to His world ever since He first uttered the words “Let there be…” You can read it all across the pages of the Bible. But the most explicit and concise phrasing of that message comes at the very beginning of Jesus’s ministry.

In Matthew 3, Jesus goes into the wilderness to be baptized, a way of connecting himself with the promises and purposes of God. Jesus is about to go around the region teaching about God, performing miracles that signal the coming of a new creation, and calling people to live under the good and perfect reign of God as King. Not long from this moment, Jesus will obey God to the point of his own death on a cross. But before any of that happens, before Jesus says or does a thing, God has something He wants to make very clear to Jesus. In dramatic form, the skies open up and a voice declares:

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

To be clear, this is a profound portrait of God, especially within a culture where so much time, effort, energy and agony are poured into crafting ourselves in such a way as to be desirable to others, so that we can earn their approval and admiration. We consistently strive to make ourselves “lovable” enough to be worthy of others’ love. For many, our life experiences have communicated to us that love is primarily a feeling, an emotion, something that ebbs and flows like the tide. But in the Bible, love is an action and a choice, a way of being that seeks good for another, regardless of who they are.

That’s why, before Jesus does anything, his ministry begins with an affirmation of his identity from the One who knows and cares for him. Jesus is loved. God takes delight in him. God is pleased with him. Everything that happens from this point on will not be because Jesus needs to earn God’s (or anyone else’s) approval. Instead, it will be from an outpouring of love already received.

Later, in Romans 8, the apostle Paul will say that we, too, are children of God who are able to call Him “Father” just like Jesus and that we are loved, delighted in, and a source of pride and pleasure for God. In fact, this is the message that God wants everyone to know. This is the very thing He has been saying to His world all along: I love you.

What does God want from me, from us? To know we are loved and to live from that love. How beautiful is that?

Joshua Gorenflo and his wife, Kya, are ministers at Kenai Fellowship, Mile 8.5 on the Kenai Spur Highway. Worship is 11 a.m. on Sundays. Streamed live at kenaifellowship.com.

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.