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More to Life Than More

More to Life Than More

Word From Wiese

February 11, 2026

$8 million.

$8 million was the average price tag for one of the 30-second commercials during last Sunday’s Super Bowl telecast. But somehow, a group of Christians scratched up enough dough for a full minute for the latest “He Gets Us” spots. If I remember correctly, it didn’t appear until the two-minute warning during the fourth quarter.

For me, the ad was a fast roller coaster—a stream of scenarios with humans wrestling with society’s temptation that we will be satisfied with “more.” More food, more beauty, more strength, more sensation, more money. After the frenetic sampling of the marketing Americans endure, along with the anxiety it produces, the commercial halts with the image of a young woman enjoying nature and looking up to the heavens, wondering, “Is there more than ‘more’?” As she starts a peaceful walk, the final image asks, “What if Jesus shows us how to find it?”

The ad reminded me of Matthew 6, when Jesus acknowledges our daily worries.

Jesus points out how we worry about food and drink, our appearance, the status of our clothes, and the welfare of our futures. But then Jesus says, “Don’t worry…seek first God’s kingdom, and all these other things will come along as well.” Pretty much: God sees you, God cares, God will provide. And your experience with God will be even “more” than your current hopes.

The “He Gets Us” message and its scriptural foundation in Matthew 6 speak to why I am so excited about our upcoming Lenten series, Opening Doors. We read that levels of loneliness, depression, and anxiety are on the rise, especially among our young people. The fantastic news is that Jesus offers connection, grace, and hope. We’ve experienced firsthand how Jesus offers more than just society’s merry-go-round quest for satisfaction—so often short-lived and ephemeral. So, it’s holy time to increase our zest for helping Jesus open the doors wider to our neighbors and friends.

Together, let’s GROW in how Jesus uses COS to open doors of hope:

  • G—Group. Join a discussion group that will meet for just five sessions (once per week during our five weeks of Lent) and enjoy the fellowship of a 30-minute exchange of ideas and hopes.
  • R—Read. Read the short but helpful weekly chapter of The Invitational Christian. Books are available at the front office desk.
  • O—Opportunity. As we explored last Sunday, Jesus calls us to let our lights shine for the benefit of the world—and ourselves. This is a huge opportunity for COS and for each of us to grow.
  • W—Worship. Each Sunday, our sermons and services will challenge us about God’s hope for us. So, please prioritize your presence in Sunday worship, and even the Wednesday 6:30 devotionals if you’d like.

In my sermon last Sunday, we explored Jesus calling us salt and light. I joked that I would use one explanation of salt’s function in my Valentine’s card to my wife, LuAnne: “Honey, you’re my salt. You suppress the bitterness in my life and enhance the sweetness.” Ha. Our ride on planet Earth is a phenomenal gift. Yet the amount of struggle and suffering is no joke. That’s why Jesus calls us to be salt and light. That’s why Jesus has called COS together—to be a vehicle through which doors of hope are opened for the sake of the world.

We don’t need a filled Super Bowl stadium to be faithful. We don’t need an Olympic spotlight to shine. We don’t need eight million dollars and thirty seconds to share our message.

Jesus says we have what we need. We can be salt and light, authentically—and point to the “more” of Jesus—as we open doors together, for him.

Looking forward to opening doors with you this Lent,

Pastor Fritz

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where do you most feel the pressure to believe that “more” will finally satisfy—and how does Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 6 challenge that belief?
  2. When have you experienced Jesus offering something deeper or more lasting than what the world was promising at the time?
  3. Which part of GROW—Group, Read, Opportunity, or Worship—might be Jesus nudging you to lean into this Lent? What discussion group will you join . . . or what small group of friends will you rally together?

Let us pray: Gracious God, you know how easily our hearts get caught up in the chase for “more.” More success, more security, more approval, more control. Yet in your love, Jesus reminds us that you already see us, care for us, and provide what we truly need. Open our eyes this Lent to the deeper “more” you offer: more grace, more connection, more purpose, more hope. Use us as salt and light, opening doors of hope for our neighbors, our friends, and our world. And as we seek your kingdom first, help us trust that you will take care of the rest. We pray this in the name of Jesus, who shows us how to find true life. Amen.