I'll be honest, writing these staff journals is hard!
I don't always feel like I have something amazing to share. I mean, I'm no pastor. What if people think what I have to say is silly? What if I don't communicate my heart effectively?
This time, again, I had a hard time landing on just what to share.
At a staff friend's suggestion, I went back to my prayer notebook searching for some inspiration and asked the Spirit to guide me. I landed on a page where I've been collecting Bible verses that have jumped out at me and spoken deeply to me during prayer time over the last few weeks. I had been revisiting these verses and praying through them.
What I noticed this time was a progression I hadn't seen before—God leading me through his Word. So cool! I wonder if you'll notice it too.
2 Corinthians 1:8b-9
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Hebrews 6:19a
We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Did you see it?
This year, and especially these last few months, have brought many times of feeling utterly burdened beyond my strength. I've had no choice but to rely on God. But while I felt at times I was sharing abundantly in Christ's suffering, God also comforted me abundantly and led me to hope.
Hope reminded me who I was working for and led me to gratitude. Hope implored me to keep going and not give up, especially for the sake of God's people. And hope provided a picture of what God wants to do at Grace and in the Church worldwide.
This was, and continues to be, such an inspiration to me! I literally get chills each time I read through these verses. I hope it will encourage you too.
Please join me in praying that God will bring peace to our church and among believers, and that he will strengthen and build us up. Pray that we will live reverently before the Lord, comforted by his Spirit. Pray that we would grow and multiply as we love God, love people and lead others to do the same.
See you Sunday, Church! Pastor Jack will be talking about getting dirty and smelly. 😊
-Juli Dirks