What I like about my church

A new acquaintance asked me the other day what I like about my church.

I surprised myself a bit by saying that I came to appreciate it a lot more after we came home from five months abroad at a missionary training school (read: a very stressful and difficult experience for me). I remember one of our first Sundays back from that trip sitting in church listening to the sermon in tears. Trembling.

Because God speaks to me there.

Jesus, through his Holy Spirit, was clearly speaking to me through the heart of the sermon. Answering questions and settling worries that were on my heart. His voice was loud and clear. He was confirming to me that this is where I belong. This is the place and time that he created me for. ("he determined the times set for (us) and the exact places where (we) should live." – Acts 17:26 (NIV 1984)) This is where the gifts he gave me fit. And I needed to hear this badly. He was ministering to my heart and healing my soul.

Shortly thereafter, a woman I used to serve with at my home church mailed me a note which also brought me to tears. She said welcome back and we can't wait to have you back at the ministry whenever you are ready. The Holy Spirit was continuing to speak through the body to further confirm His clear message to me. I created you. I gave you gifts. I created you for here and now.

You know what God was also saying to me? He was saying, "You know my voice."

I know God, and I experience him every day. And I regularly hear him speaking to me through the sermons, songs, and fellow Christ-followers at my home church.

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If you'd like to have a relationship with God, too, tell him that! Ask him to reveal what is true about him to you.

I'd be happy to share more with you about my life with God as well. Let me know if you want to chat!

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This topic makes me recall a sermon in which our senior pastor shared that following Jesus does not mean your life will suddenly be all hunky-dory. Far from it. But we can stand on God's promise to be with us through it all. There are many, many scriptures that affirm God's promise that He is with us. And Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means, "God with us." Here are just a few examples:

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

Where do you find rest?

One of my idols is rest. Sleeping in. Snuggling under the covers. Napping.

As a new mom of two kids 2 year old and under, I can be desperate for rest. I can be anxious about finding it.

I forget that God is my perfect provider.

Even if I only get two straight hours of sleep in a night, God can ensure that I get the rest I need to face a new day. I don't need to worry about it. I can trust him for it.

Sometimes I feel like I'm resting by zoning out on Facebook or watching TV. On reflection, I find I usually feel just as drained afterwards. Whereas doing something productive, spending time with God, or actually sleeping are more restful to me -- I feel more refreshed afterwards.

What do you count as rest that is actually draining to you? What activities are truly restful to you? Are you able to trust God for the rest you need?

God, I confess I fail to trust you to provide me with the rest (I think) I need. Please forgive me and help me to find my rest in you.

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Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.