In the beginning…it is how the start in each of our walks of faith begin. There is some point in our life that we choose to follow a path we did not go down before. There may have been a loss of a loved one, financial stress, the loss of a relationship or a health issue that brings us to our knees crying out to a God, who we hope is there listening.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
For me, I grew up with a Roman Catholic background where I knew that Jesus existed. I believed, but I did not realize that there is a difference in believing in Him and being a true follower…being born again. This finally happened for me in 2009 when, by God’s guidance, I was led to a church near the home my we had moved into a year earlier.
It was in March, just days before my birthday and it was the beginning of Lent. I felt strongly that God wanted me to donate to a local food pantry, rather than giving something up for this holy season. So, I called the town’s clerk’s office to see if they had a list of local food pantries. The only pantry they provided me with was at a small local church. The next day I called and left a message with the church and Mr. Bill called me back later that day. I remember that day very well. The hour where Bill told me about the church and its pastor, rather than the pantry.
A few days later, I stopped at the pantry and dropped off food I bought for them. There, a beautiful woman named Barbara asked me to come to the church service the following day. And I did.
That day changed my life forever. God, through the Holy Spirit, filled my heart. I continued going, week after week, sobbing at every hearing of the Word of God from a pastor who was passionate about Him. Even today I feel embarrassed, I can only imagine what the people around me were thinking of my constant crying.
You see, I had felt so sick of how I had lived my life that I didn’t feel worthy of God’s Grace, let alone the thought of taking communion (they had it every week). It was several months before I finally got up to receive it… and began sobbing even more than before.
Months went by as the Holy Spirit worked within me. I began to read His Word and I sought out a women’s bible study to gain better understanding and to know other women of faith.
But God.
Come to today and my husband and I are in an amazing church that teaches the Word of God, line by line, book by book. One thing our pastor said that says it well. “We teach the Bible, not from the bible.” And God has blessed our church abundantly because of it. While so many other churches are shrinking, we keep growing, having to add chairs for all the new people coming in.
Friends, find a church like this. One that is so in love with the word of God, that it spills over to every other aspect of the church. We’ve never been in a church that is so welcoming and friendly. A place where many have found the courage to speak the truth of their past, only to find love, grace and mercy at the other side.
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21
God is good. Live and love like it. 🙂
My Everyday Hope 