London, United Kingdom

Today’s church service was a reality check for me. Pastor Ivan started with the statement, “You can’t hold Jesus with one hand and hold favoritism in the other.” This immediately caught my attention because it speaks directly to what I’ve been struggling with. I know that I can be easily pulled in different directions, and as a lifelong people pleaser, I have a hard time saying no. I also struggle with the fear of missing out. Things run through my head like, “what if I pass up a connection that could lead me to my next big opportunity?” I’ve convinced myself that I can balance my faith in one hand and my worldly desires in the other, but the truth is, that’s not how it works. It’s a learning curve, one I constantly battle with, but I guess this is where grace comes in.

Seeing People the Way God Does

Another main topic of the sermon was learning to see people the way God does because God only cares about the heart. It’s easy to be drawn to status, wealth, or appearances, but sometimes things aren’t what they seem on the outside.

James 2:5-7 says, “Did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? But yes, I have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats?” This verse can be understood in different ways. One interpretation is that those who have little in the eyes of the world often have the strongest faith. These are the people who trust that God has something great in store for them.

On the other hand, there are those who have everything like money, power, and influence. Some of these individuals have what Pastor Ivan called childlike faith, meaning they pray for everything, big or small, with complete trust in God. I know I’ve been guilty of thinking, I got to this point because of my own hard work and dedication. But the truth is, I didn’t do it alone. God is the one who opened doors for me. He’s the one who gave me the drive and determination to pursue my dreams. Recognizing this, I now realize that there’s always something to pray for. Starting with simply giving thanks.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

We all know the saying, actions speak louder than words, and one way to demonstrate faith is through action. Pastor Ivan emphasized the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself. We should be a neighbor to anyone in need, rather than judging people based on their appearance, status, or life circumstances. It’s easy to dismiss someone based on first impressions, thinking things like, They’re not attractive enough. They’re too young or too old. They don’t fit in. But when we do this, we dishonor the royal law by judging someone that God perfectly created.

God made each of us with a purpose, so who are we to judge? When we recognize that no one is inherently better than another, we start to understand how much we’ve been saved and forgiven. Pastor Ivan made a powerful point: “Mercy triumphs mercy.” When we show compassion and grace to others, we reflect the love and forgiveness that God has given us. None of us deserve His mercy, yet He gives it freely. Once we become recipients of this kind of love, there’s no room left for hatred.

True Strength Comes from Humility

Pastor Ivan closed the sermon by reminding us that “You can’t boast in the eyes of the Lord.” God chooses the weak, the humble, and the outcasts to fulfill His plans—not those who think they have it all figured out. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 reinforces this: “But God chose the foolish things of the world that He might put to shame those who are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world that He might put to shame the strong.”

This reminded me that true strength comes not from worldly power or intelligence, but from humility and faith. God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called. The more we surrender our pride, the more we allow Him to work through us.

The Ultimate Takeaway: Love Sets Us Free

To summarize what I learned from today’s service, love is what sets us free—our minds, our souls, and our hearts.

Matthew 22:36-40 says:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

It’s simply said, but sometimes hard to put into action, but we must love God and love others. If we can live by these two commandments, everything else falls into place. This message was exactly what I needed to hear today, and I hope it speaks to someone else too.

Xoxo, Harleigh