Over this past year, one thing has been abundantly clear: Being uncomfortable leads to change.
Over this past year, one thing has been abundantly clear: Being uncomfortable leads to change.
Many of our ideas of church, worship, family, friendship, wellness, and community have new meaning now. What we thought we couldn’t do, we did. What we said we would never do or think, we did. What we feared the most, for some, came true. Yet, we are still standing! You are still standing, Sis!
Change doesn’t need an invitation to interrupt our lives—it just does. At times, we are given the opportunity to prepare for change, or we try to control the process, so the outcome works out the way we had hoped. But many times, we simply find ourselves having to deal with matters as they come.
Either way, the Lord sees, hears, knows, and loves us through all circumstances. We have a choice—either we welcome Him into the transitional moments of our lives, or we continue to work laboriously without Him, trying to achieve worldly success and comfort instead of the peace that only Kingdom decisions and living can offer.
What do I mean by “Kingdom decisions and living”? I mean showing up and responding the way that Jesus would and living like He is watching, all the time. We will never be perfect in doing this, but as we train to be like Jesus, we can truly begin to imitate Him and lead others closer to Him.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. I Corinthians 11:1
“Follow God’s example, therefore, dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
I am here at Vineyard Columbus today, walking in my Pastoral gifting because a beautiful woman by the name of Sue Vagnier imitated Christ in my life. I came to her broken, wounded, discouraged, confused, unprepared, and afraid when change interrupted my life. She never condemned me for my sin. She never stopped listening to me no matter how much “I didn’t sound like a believer”.
She listened and loved even when my contemplations were against what she knew the Lord would desire for me as His child. She defied what society said she should do as a professional. She made a Kingdom decision and pointed me to Jesus when I lost my way. My family is complete and blessed because Sue, understood the power of being a believer of Jesus. She imitated Him in her life daily. She is and will forever be an angel in my life and in countless others’. God bless you, Sue!
Sisters, how have you imitated Jesus? Who has been “a Sue” in your life? Have you thanked her? Can we listen to a sister share her frustrations about the pain she feels without telling her she doesn’t have enough faith? Can we be a loving interruption to someone who sees nothing but darkness and deposit Holy Spirit-inspired encouragement without feeling responsible for rescuing them? Can we listen to an unbeliever share their doubts about the Christian faith without getting angry?
Can we listen to someone’s admiration for their belief that doesn’t align with Christianity and not feel like we are betraying Jesus for listening to them? Can we listen to worship music that is different from our culture, family of origin, or style of choice and still sense the presence of God in it? Can you go to a different campus and participate in their Women’s events even if you have never been to that campus? While all of these things may be uncomfortable, it is an invitation to experience the greatest transformations of our lives and others!
It’s not enough to teach the Bible if we don’t know how to walk it out. It takes both. It’s the Living Word. It’s not enough to say we believe but then we doubt that God can transform. It takes faith to unleash the power of a believer! Step out Sisters. Come back to church, show up, reach out, and see where you can plug in. Building is better with you than it is without you!
