Six words…well, really just four….

Originally posted on 3 February, 2014 by admin

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and thought I’d write it down.

A couple of years ago, I was in a PD session for work where a teacher was demonstrating a lesson used in an English class. He asked us to write six words that would illustrate our life. I think my six were family, love, music, Jesus, Joy, Heaven….or something like that….I only had a few minutes to think of them. 

However, after giving it more thought I realized that I could summarize the foundation of my life with six words. (Actually, just four since two of the words get repeated).

Of course, as a believer, my foundation is God’s word “cover to cover…and the cover”…but if I condense it two six words, here’s what I have.

My first set of three words is actually a song title – not surprising for someone like me. Actually, it was the first song I heard my Mom sing to me I think. It’s certainly the first song I remember singing. I even remember what I was doing when I was singing it…riding a “rocking horse” – one of those ones from my childhood with big springs that they probably don’t sell now. The song? Jesus Loves Me.

Yes, Jesus Loves Me. These three words give me a foundation for life. No matter what anyone thinks of me….no matter if no one thinks of me at all….when times are great….when times are awful….when I’m afraid to try something new….when the future looks grim….in sorrow…in joy….despite my sin and failings…Jesus Loves Me. This truth gives me confidence for all things.

The second set of three…I told you two were repeated…is Jesus Loves You.

Yes, Jesus Loves You. Now these three words tell me how I’m to treat all the people who aren’t me. Whether or not you love Jesus back, I have to treat you like precious china because the Lord who loves me and died for me loves you too. At the end of the day, it’s my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, that I have to answer to about how I’ve treated the people in my life. This is a serious responsibility. It matters. I don’t want Him asking me, “How could you do that to someone I care about so much!?” How could I ever answer that? How could I hurt Him when He loves me that much? And yet, I know there are many times when I’ve failed Him in my love for others…but….He still loves me, forgives me and lets me start anew.

So, in six words…the secret of my joy- Jesus loves me…and my reason to pass it on – Jesus loves you….

“I am so glad that Jesus loves me – Jesus loves you and me!”