Hey, Friend.
Today's thoughts turn to my faith life and the realization that when we say that we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour and that we have a personal relationship with Him it really is personal. It will not be the same for each one.
Last night I did interpreting work for a Deaf couple for their Life In The Spirit Seminar with the Catholic Charismatic Community that I used to belong to. I was sooo excited to serve with the community where I was nourished spiritually and where I grew. In my mind I was thinking all out worship, the power of the Holy Spirit palpable in that place. That wasn’t exactly what happened. It felt -- so different. Not what I remembered worship with that Community to be.
And yet people were blessed. The Deaf couple felt a sense of belonging with the community that they said they do not feel with their own relatives. This couple's hearing daughter sees this Community to be the means by which she can bring her whole family back together. The couples who took care of the Youth Ministry when I was still active in service there are still very much involved, and so are a number of people from the Singles Ministry who I know. Even someone I served with in the Youth was still there. I can see that they find God in that Community. They feel a belongingness there.
And then there’s my experience with my current community. It’s a community for me, albeit I still only know a few people and I don’t attend as regularly as I used to. Still, when I am with them, I get to worship. My heart is in the worship, all out, and even during low days I am able to make that decision to lift my hands and surrender all. I was telling a friend that I know how imperfect our worship leaders are, I sometimes raise an eyebrow when they preach and take what they say with a grain of salt. But when they lead worship, when they speak, God speaks to me. I am touched. I am filled with thanksgiving, with a great love for God. I know for sure it is God’s grace and His Holy Spirit working through them...through all of us.
So whatever Community people are called to be a part of, I know God’s grace will find them there and will touch each one. He loves us wherever we are.
When I say that I have a personal relationship with my Lord, and when others share that with me, it means that we experience His love and His grace on our own terms, according to what we need. He is not one size fits all.
Thankful always for God's Grace...
