I've been a part of the Christian faith all of my life.  My grandparents, parents, and siblings were all a part of a Christian church and faith.

How I experienced God, especially through Jesus, has changed throughout my life.

As a child, he was a kind, caring guy who told people about God and loved a lot of people who other people didn't love.  He did some wonderful things and wasn't liked by some people who got him killed.  But he showed them.  He came back to life.

As a teen, he was someone who cared for people who didn't know how to care about themselves, loved the outcast, the bullied, the sad, the hopeful.  

As a young adult, the meaning of Savior began to take shape.  As I really began to look at larger life issues, I began to experience him as my Savior, the one to follow in my life who would teach me how to live, what the meaning of life was really all about, and how to be close to God.

As an older adult.... well, that's still shaping.  He's become a comforter in my own challenges, a challenger in my own comforts, and not just the Savior of the world, but my own Savior, the one who saves me from being separated from God... and with God forever.

And yet, in all of those times... Jesus (God) has been the same.   It's just my perspective that has changed.

I take great comfort in that.  God has always been, is, and always will be.  And in my life, my experience with God can change and grow deeper.  I'm grateful to know I don't have to have it all figured out at any one moment of life, or at some specific age/time.  I get to grow into my faith every day, every night.

I may not have it all figured out, but God does.

I'm grateful for that!
 

Peace in our journeys,

Pastor Steve Melde