Grace.
What a word full of power. As I begin to reflect upon my time in Serbia, I think of the word grace–God’s grace and his unending forgiveness for each and every one of us.
Grace.
Upon arriving to Serbia, our team met Lydia. A woman full of grace–God’s beautiful and unending grace. Grace that teaches me new lessons about life over and over again.
Grace I have never been able to understand.
Lydia is a member of Evangelical Pentecostal Church of Pozarevac, Serbia. There are about 22 members of this quaint little church. This church is a hidden jewel amidst the spiritual darkness and hopelessness that has been left as a result of wars, terrorism, frustration, financial crisis and the overall brokenness left behind by broken people. Though a sense of sadness looms within this beautiful city, this church serves as a radiant lighthouse to God’s beloved children; the children that he has created with a purpose—a purpose that often becomes overshadowed by the ways of the world and leaves his people feeling hopeless and without answers.
Though life in Serbia is not always easy, Lydia would never tell you that, nor would she show it.
Everyday I tell Lydia that I admire the unending joy that never ceases to radiate from her, and every day she replies, “Sarah Anne, how can I not be joyful? I have the Lord, and He is all that I need.”
Everyday I shake my head in awe of this answer.
I shake my head, because I know the facts. I have been given a glimpse of the battles Lydia has to fight every single day.
The facts are, because of claiming Christianity as her faith, Lydia has been persecuted, tormented, accused of being in a cult, and marked as an outcast in her city. She is one of 22 Christians in this town of 50,000 and yet she still ends each story with such a beautiful smile, filled with hope—a hope that is almost impossible to find here. Her relentless love for Christ is unbelievable.
She spends her day at work and then continues her day by leading worship later that night, visiting house churches, or simply taking care of our team.
Her heart is beautiful and her perseverance in the Lord is out of control. Though many have hurt her, her unending grace for God’s children remains. She continues to love those deeply who have been hurt, abandoned, or even those who have turned their backs from her love. She is a beautiful testimony of God’s love for each of his.
Our God never gives up on us.
Ever.
God calls us to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Sometimes this is nearly impossible, but be encouraged,
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12: 9-21
My heart is thankful for the work that God is continuing to do in Lydia’s life. I have been so blessed by her beautiful family and the love of Christ she holds in her heart for those who are hard to love.
God’s grace for us is HUGE, GINORMOUS, and absolutely beautiful. Be encouraged, Lydia’s grace for other is admirable, and it is a gift from God. If this is a gift from God, can you only imagine how much greater his grace and love is for us? Goodness. I am blown away by this realization of how much our God loves EACH of us.
Love those who are hard to love, because each of them is Jesus in disguise.
