Your Story Matters

Source: Unsplash

As Christians, we know that Jesus is our ultimate Victor.

He is our Defender, our Righteousness, our Savior, our Lord.

Revelation paints a beautiful picture of the final battle that will bring an end to our Accuser, the Satan (see chapter 20), as he is cast into the lake of burning sulfur.

However it wasn't until recently that I was made aware that this beautiful victory is also made possible by the testimony of the Saints.

Look with me in Revelation 12:10-12

"And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!...'"(emphasis mine)

I think this helps to explain my need to hear the stories of faith, endurance, suffering, and victory in the lives of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.

Once upon a time, this might have felt "optional" to me.

Looking back, I think I always categorized my church as "helpful."

As a child, I was faithful to attend a local church (and I have my parents to thank for that!). As a college student, single professional, and as a married adult, I have consistantly sought out the local church, attending on a weekly basis, becoming a member, and serving alongside the saints.

But it hasn't been until recently that I have determined in my spirit--in my core--that this is not just "helpful" to me as a Christian to be a part of the body of Christ. No, I now understand that it is ESSENTIAL.

And now, I have more Scripture to help me understand this biblical truth.

You see, I need your story.

It does not merely "help" me in my journey of faith.

It does not merely "encourage" me.

No, friend. It is an essential part of the victory of Light over Dark, Good over Evil, the Kingdom of God over the Kingdom of Satan.

I NEED to hear your story, your testimony, all the ways in which you currently see God move in your life...all the ways you have seen God move in your life.

I NEED to hear your story, teenager.

I NEED to hear your story, college student.

I NEED to hear your story, professional single.

I NEED to hear your story, young mother of three.

I NEED to hear your story, empty-nester.

I NEED to hear your story, octogenarian.

I NEED to hear your story! And thank you for sharing it with me, trusting it with me...and I hope you can benefit from mine, dear friend.

May we NEVER forget that the testimony of the saints helps to conquer our Accuser...and may we forever stand in the victory of the Lamb!

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Your Presence Matters

Photo source: Unsplash, taken by Natalya Ukolova

There has never been a time that I have loved the local church more than I do now.

I can't explain it, and I don't fully understand it. 

I didn't even notice the shift occuring inside of me--I only noticed that a shift had occurred, and it literally took my breath away and is forever imprinted upon my heart.

I'll never forget, I was seated in church (left side, midway down, third seat in from the aisle), and I had just drank the tiny cup of port wine and swallowed the dry cracker of the communion meal while in my seat.  The soft worship music continued to play and my gaze slid over to the people filing down the center aisle, so they, too, could get the elements fom our pastors and make their way back to their seats.

As I watched the line of women, men, and adolescents slowly make their way past my seat, I wasn't impressed by their button-up shirts, dresses, or matching shoes (a habit of mine years ago as a church-going teen), but I was suddenly struck by how much I LOVED these people, and I literally gasped.

As each person filed by, I truly noticed them.  Perhaps I personally knew them, having served with them in some way at the church or on a mission trip.  Perhaps I had met their parents, been in their home around the dinner table, or I could correctly pair them with their infant child in the church nursery. 

But even if I didn't know them, or had never met them before, my heart seemed to lunge toward them. Old, young, known, unknown, it didn't matter. I was sincerely thankful and grateful they were there. Inexplicably, their mere presence in the sanctuary that morning truly and deeply mattered to me.

I talk to people in my church (at weekly Life Group or sharing coffee out in town) who say something to the effect that they feel needy, not useful, broken, benched in some way.  I try my best to express to them that just their being at church or at small group--just their being in the boat, so to speak--deeply ministers to me.  They may not be pulling at an oar (yet), but their very presence proclaims the fact that they have made the choice to not go at it alone, but to partner with Jesus, with me and others, to be united to the family of God...and that profoundly impacts us all. 

I didn't talk much about my communion experience at that time, and probably 4 or more years have passed since that day, but it continues to inform my spiritual journey in a profound way. It has been interesting for me to read or hear the words of others--current church leaders and even pastors a few decades into their retirement from the pulpit ministry--sharing about how their hearts and souls are consistently refreshed by being surrounded by the saints on a Sunday morning, hearing them sing the hymns of the faith, eating together, and just being together as the body of Christ.

If you struggle to love the local church and have never experienced this facet of being united in Christ with other believers, you are not alone, dear friend!  Many (perhaps most?) of us have had seasons where we have struggled to be truly present in church each week, to dig in, get to know people, to serve and to just love and be loved.  I'd like to point you to some resources that have helped me in those seasons, and these are still books that encourage me as I reflect upon the wonder of my relatively newfound love--Christ's love--for his church, the bride.  I also recently heard a podcast about how your church--my church--needs you to show up...in the best way.  

TGC Podcast The Deep Dish: Your Church Needs You to Show Up -- Courtney Doctor, Melissa Kruger, Vanessa K. Hawkins

Sam Allberry: Why Bother With Church?

Paul David Tripp: Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church

Deitrich Bonhoeffer: Life Together

May you be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened this week in your journey, wherever you land in your feelings of love for your local church.  God will and can use you--even if you just sit in a pew for a bit. 

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