But Wait!
Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.
We’ve all heard those words flow ever so smoothly from the enthusiastic, silver-tongued TV front-man seeking to sell his viewers some miracle product. Whether it be a leak-stopping compound in a handy spray can, a sure-fire cleaning product that quickly removes every stain known to humankind, or a car cleaner that makes our ten-year-old jalopy look like new again, the item being promoted is a must buy. And, to make the deal even sweeter, after announcing the bargain price, the rapid-talking pitchman makes the deal all but irresistible by saying, ” BUT WAIT! Order right now, and we will send you two of whatever for just $9.95, plus shipping and handling.
” BUT WAIT! ” Isn’t that precisely the message God announced to all through the gift of his saving love in Christ?
To a creation eager to hear some good news, to a people yearning for a word of encouragement and hope, he declared, ” BUT WAIT! Have I got a deal for you.” His offer involves no gimmicks, no tricks, no fast-talking salesmen. It simply proclaims what we all so desperately need to hear – ” I love you. You are mine. I will be with you always.”
Now that’s a deal, friends of Dial Hope. That’s a deal we can’t pass up.
Let us pray: Loving God, you sent your son so we might know that your love is the real deal. Energize us to make that love come alive for those around us through what we do and say each and every day. In the name of God’s best deal ever, his son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Eric Wogen
Pastor Eric Wogen was born in Chicago, Illinois, and claims mid-western roots, even though he lived in many different places while growing up due to his father’s employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad. A graduate of Radnor High School in suburban Philadelphia, he received an AB in History from Gettysburg College and a MDiv degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. His first call was to a wonderfully affirming congregation in Sellersville, PA, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ridge Valley, where he joyfully served until being called as Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod (LCA). He returned to parish ministry in 1979 when he was called to serve St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover, PA. After more than twenty years at St. Matthew, he was called by St. Armand’s Key Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Florida to be its pastor and served there until his retirement in 2008. Full Bio
