Last Sabbath, Pastor Jana concluded our sermon series entitled All In. We spent six weeks examining what it means to be All In within our Church Family, community, nation, and world. We talked about everything from Faithlife - our new church app; to our MGC Worship Service teams; to International Children's Care and ADRA; and so much more.

As we unpacked All In, we looked at when Jesus called each of His ragamuffin disciples, as well as others who seemed 'unfit' for leadership, and we saw that He wasn't looking for a list of accomplishments or qualifications on their gilded resumes. No, He was looking for something less tangible and more undescribable.

What Jesus seemed to 'see' in those that He called was simply willingness and openness. The willingness to hear God's call, to respond and react, was ... and is, a way of saying 'I love you'. Being All In is another way of saying . . . 'I Love You'. I love you, Lord. I love you, friend. I love you, neighbor, Church Family, even stranger.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

"Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth."

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

"Follow God's example ... and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us ... ."

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these in love."

Jesus calls us to be All In. We were created to live in community and to reach out to those around us in the ways that God has gifted us. Let's continue to be All In together!

—Karen Mallory