As I meditate on the true significance of these words, I can't help but notice that everything God has done throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is about people. God has always been motivated by the desire to have a family.  This is clearly demonstrated in this familiar scripture, which reveals that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the earth to die (and rise again) because of His love for 'the world.'

The phrase 'the world' in scripture refers to all the human beings who had been and will be born into this earth.  It refers to all who, without receiving Jesus, would spend eternity in hell, a place God never intended for them to go.  God created hell for Satan and his angels, while earth and heaven were created for his family called mankind.  Jesus himself stated that he was sent to 'seek and save the lost' (Luke 19:10).

Of course, we know that Jesus accomplished his mission, and now there are billions who, since his resurrection, have received Jesus as Savior, become a part of God's family, which results in heaven being their home.  So where does that leave us today?  Well, besides the obvious need for us to receive salvation (if we have not already) and to share Jesus with as many as we can, we can learn from God's unwavering focus on people.

God loves people and he values them above all else.  In scripture, we find that God considers people, his inheritance (see Ephesians 1:18), and he considers people his wealth.  He does not place natural riches, things that the world considers valuable, or anything else above people.

We, as Christians should do the same.

This month, do not focus on what you do or do not have, what has or has not happened in your career, or on whether or not you have even received the mate that you asked of God. Be thankful for those people to whom God has placed around you. Be thankful for family, friends, colleagues, fellow church members, and ministers of the gospel that have blessed your life.

Focus on being a blessing to those who have been such a blessing to you. Furthermore, find a way to be a blessing to those people that you don't know but are still so special to God, particularly those who are with needs. Remember, that it's all about people. God sent his Son for them. You are one of them that he so loves. And you are one of his instruments to show them how much he loves them too.

Pastor Andre Butler