On this All Saints Sunday, we gather to remember those who have gone before us in faith, those who lived lives of love, service, and devotion to God. Their stories inspire us to ask an important question: What does God want from us? What does He expect?
Let me share with you a true story that challenges how we think about faith, love, and what it means to live as a saint today.
Lee Strobel, a well-known journalist and devout atheist at the time, was assigned to write about poverty in the inner city during Christmas. He met the Delgados, a family who had been burned out of their roach-infested tenement. They were living in a tiny two-room apartment on the West Side. There was no furniture, no decorations, just a small table and a handful of rice. The two teenage girls shared one short-sleeve dress and a gray sweater.
Despite their desperate circumstances, the mother, Perfecta, spoke with unwavering confidence about her faith in Jesus Christ. Lee noted that, although they had nothing, they radiated peace and hope. In contrast, he had everything materially, yet felt empty inside.
After publishing the article, Lee moved on to other stories but couldn’t forget the Delgados. Weeks later, he returned to visit them and was stunned. Because of his article in the Chicago Tribune, people had come forward to help. The Delgados now had furniture, food, and clothing. But what shocked Lee most was seeing Perfecta giving away some of their new possessions.
When he asked why, she said, ‘Our neighbors are still in need. We cannot have plenty while they have nothing. This is what Jesus would want us to do.’
Lee realized something profound: the Delgados had peace despite poverty, while he had anxiety despite abundance. They knew the joy of generosity, while he only knew ambition’s loneliness. They looked to heaven for hope, while he only looked to himself. They knew the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ—and that made all the difference.
So I ask again: What does God want from you?
In Mark 12:28-30, a scribe asked Jesus, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus replied, ‘The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
This wasn’t a new command. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5, a passage every Jew knew by heart: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.’
God’s desire has always been the same: that we love Him completely. Why? Because what we love, we move toward. What we love, we become like.
If someone loves tennis, they wear tennis clothes, read tennis magazines, and speak tennis lingo. If someone loves surfing, they smell like saltwater, own a surfboard, and talk about waves. Likewise, if we truly love God, then our lives will reflect Him. We will desire to worship, serve, and obey Him in everything.
Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength isn’t easy. But it’s not something we do alone. As we draw closer to God, He changes us. The more we love Him, the more we become like Him.
But Jesus didn’t stop there. In Mark 12:31, He added, ‘The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’
Again, this wasn’t a new teaching. In Leviticus 19:17-18, God said, ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.’
Loving God is one thing. Loving those who frustrate, hurt, or anger us is another. But God calls us to both. And He doesn’t ask us to do what He hasn’t already done. In Christ, God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He calls us to love others the same way.
So how do we respond?
Rev. Kevin Miller once said, ‘Let’s make this personal. What is God saying to you? What is He asking of you? For some of you, your pulse is pounding right now. You know exactly what God has been asking of you, and you don’t know if you can say yes. Tell Him yes. Love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Give Him everything you’ve got.’
Let me share another story. If you drive down Roosevelt Road, you’ll pass Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. It serves people with spinal and brain injuries—some of the most difficult and long-term care in healthcare.
Why does such a place exist? It all began in 1205, in Italy. A young man named Francis was riding his horse when he saw a leper. The sight and smell repulsed him. But then he remembered God’s voice in prayer: ‘Francis, the things that used to make you shudder will bring you great sweetness and content.’
So Francis got off his horse, gave the man money, and kissed him on the cheek. That one act of love sparked a movement still felt today. Marianjoy was founded by Franciscans, inspired by that same love for neighbor.
Why is there so much love in that hospital? Because one man said yes to God.
So I ask you again: What is God asking of you today? What is He calling you to give up, to take on, to forgive, or to embrace? What is holding you back from loving Him with everything?
Close your eyes. Open your heart. Listen.
Is it pride? Fear? A lack of faith? Are you clinging to comfort, success, or recognition? What idol is on the throne of your heart?
Let us pray:
Father in Heaven, we come before you today humbled by your love for us. When we consider the love you have shown us—especially through Christ on the cross—we am speechless. Forgive us for not loving you with or whole heart. Forgive us for not loving my neighbor as ourselves. Forgive us for holding onto idols—comfort, success, approval—that take your place in our hearts.
Help us to love you more. Help us to love others better. Help us to reflect your love in our thoughts, words, and actions. Your word says in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that love never fails. Even when I fail, your love endures.
Reshape our hearts today, Lord. Make us more like Jesus. Help us to say yes to you, every day, in every way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Friends, on this All Saints Sunday, remember: the saints were not perfect people. They were ordinary people who said yes to an extraordinary God. Will you say yes today? Will you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Will you love your neighbor as yourself?
That is what God desires. That is what makes a saint.