11452 Wards Road, Rustburg VA

Today felt like a deep breath for my soul.

After weeks of snow, ice, sickness, and the heaviness this winter season has carried, it was such a gift to finally step back into an in-person worship service.

The cold air was still lingering, but my heart was warm with anticipation as my daughter and I visited Hyland Heights Baptist Church, marking church #147 on this humbling journey God has me on.

And from the very moment we turned into the parking lot, something beautiful began unfolding.

There were smiling faces directing traffic, kind people guiding us to the visitor section, and several members who didn’t just point us toward the sanctuary, they walked with us.

That simple act spoke volumes. It told me, You matter. You’re welcome here. You’re not alone.

Sometimes love looks like theology.
Sometimes it looks like someone walking beside you, so you don’t feel lost.

For a larger church, I honestly expected to blend into the background.

But that didn’t happen.

So many people came over to introduce themselves, share conversations, offer hugs, shake hands, show photos of their children, and genuinely connect.

It wasn’t surface-level friendliness, it felt authentic, warm, and deeply Christ-centered.

One of the most moving moments for me was watching Pastor Dr. David Wheeler and Worship Pastor Tim Fus intentionally greet people personally.

They weren’t rushing through before service. They were listening. They were celebrating joys, hearing prayer requests, and offering hugs.

It reminded me of what shepherding truly looks like, not just preaching from a pulpit, but loving people where they are.

Pastor Tim led the worship music, and I have to say, his voice and energy carried a beautiful fire for Jesus. But even more than the musical talent, I noticed the heart behind it. Worship wasn’t performance, it was invitation.

And that invitation reached my heart today.

The word that kept echoing through every part of the service, the songs, the prayers, the conversations was gladness.

And I had actually read that word in Scripture earlier this morning before church. When that happens, I always pause because I know the Holy Spirit is weaving something together.

Gladness.

Not happiness based on circumstances.
Not pretending everything is okay.
But the deep, anchored joy that comes from knowing Jesus is the source.

Circumstances don’t get to steal my joy.
Loss doesn’t get to define my joy.
Pain doesn’t get to own my joy.

Because my joy comes from the Lord.

I also saw that gladness lived out practically.

Members were bringing meals to support Pastor Wheeler and his wife as they walk through challenges, and yet there they were, still praising God, still serving, still loving others. That’s the Gospel lived out, not just spoken.

And then came the sermon.

Last week’s theme was The Call of Love, and today Pastor Wheeler built on that with something even deeper…

The Conviction to Love.

And that word conviction hit me.

Because love isn’t always convenient.
Love isn’t always comfortable.
Love certainly isn’t always easy.

But Scripture reminds us in 1 John 4:12–19:

“If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us…
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…
We love because He first loved us.”

From a biblical standpoint, this passage reveals something profound,
Love is not merely an emotion, it is evidence of God’s presence in us.

The Greek word often translated as “perfect” here carries the idea of maturity or completion. God’s love matures in us as we practice it toward others, even when it costs us something.

And that’s where conviction comes in…

Are we loving only when it’s convenient?
Or are we loving when it stretches us?
When it humbles us?
When it requires forgiveness?
Even when it means loving those who have hurt us?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies. That is not natural. That is supernatural. That is Christ in us.

Pastor Wheeler said something that I wrote down immediately,

“All love comes with inconvenience.”

And I thought about my own life, the healing journey God has me on, the forgiveness I’ve had to walk through, the people God has called me to love when it would have been easier to shut down.

Love is costly.
But love is also freedom.

Because fear loses its grip when love takes over.

Another powerful illustration he shared was the story of a brother willing to give blood to save his sister. It was tender, sacrificial, and deeply reflective of Christ’s own love for us. I felt tears welling up because that kind of love, sacrificial, self-giving love, is what Jesus modeled perfectly.

And honestly?

It’s the kind of love I crave to both give and receive.

From a theological perspective, 1 John 4 anchors love not in human capacity but in divine origin. God is love (1 John 4:8). Therefore, authentic Christian love flows from participation in God’s nature through the Holy Spirit. It’s not self-manufactured goodness, it’s grace working itself out in relationships.

That realization comforts me.

Because some days I feel tired.
Some days I feel broken.
Some days loving feels hard.

But if God’s love lives in me, then even on my weakest days, love can still flow.

That is both humbling and hopeful.

My daughter loved this church as much as I did, and that means everything to me. Watching her engage, smile, feel safe, and connect with people reminds me why this journey matters so much. Healing doesn’t just happen individually; it happens in community.

And Hyland Heights felt like community. Such a LOVING community.

Authentic.
Warm.
Christ-centered.
Convicting in the best way.

To everyone at Hyland Heights Baptist Church, thank you.

Thank you for the smiles.
The hugs.
The conversations.
The love that didn’t feel forced or rehearsed.

It felt real, and real love stands out.

I am incredibly grateful for this visit, for what God spoke to my heart today, and for how He continues to use this journey to heal, stretch, and grow me.

And as always, I leave with anticipation,

I can’t wait to see where the Holy Spirit leads next.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey…

When love convicts us, joy follows.
And when joy comes from Jesus, nothing can steal it.

Love you all so very much,

Annie Stewart Lambert