As I’ve stepped away from home this year, I’ve walked into new experiences, traditions, beliefs, and conversations. The new has looked like cultures, locations, values, theology, practices, and disciplines. The new and unknown have led to a lot of questions, and I’ve experienced beauty in the dialogue, in the learning, and in hearing peoples’ backgrounds and stories.
Recently, the Lord has been revealing to me that although the language or word choices are different from what I’m used to, a lot of these beliefs and practices that appear new are also present back at home. (Home referring to PA, college, and churches I’ve attended.)
It is evident that loving people and sharing the good news of Jesus is part of His story for all of the world. It may look different in some ways, but there are far more similarities and foundational truths that tie it all together.
He has been revealing to me truths that the body of Christ, the church, and fellow believers have taught me so far and are being reaffirmed this year.
- We are one body and one church. All the churches, denominations, and believers all around the world make up the church, the bride of Christ. We are one body made up of different parts but join together because of who we are- sons and daughters of the most high God.
- Leadership, speakers, friends, and family cannot be your Jesus. We need to run to our Father and seek purpose, joy, satisfaction, and truth from Him. He is the source of living water and is the bread of life.
- The word of God is the truth. The one truth. All words and teachings should be brought back to the word of God. If it aligns, then it is truth. The word of God is the love letter God so graciously gave us. It is active and alive. It is full of His love and the story of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation that He is writing.
- The church isn’t for the perfectly put together people. Believers aren’t more valuable or better people. God wants all people to be in relationship with Him. With Him, we have a sustainable and abundant hope and purpose. The gospel, the good news, reconciliation to the Father is for all. There is no prerequisite. No one life that is worthy and another not. The good news is that we are all created by the God of the universe, we were separated due to sin, but have access to be reunited to the Father through solely believing in His son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Life is messy and broken, but God is good. He wants us to have an eternal perspective. This is not our home. We are redeemed, and one day we will be reunited with the Father.
