“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
Two or Three or Sixteen
The room set up like this stirs up a myriad of emotions. It excites me, gives me hope, makes me nervous, and reminds me once again how vulnerable I can feel. It’s around these tables where for the last six weeks I’ve gathered with 15 other women to study God’s Word. It’s something I love to do and think is so important. So why the emotional whirlwind?
“Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.”
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NLT)
Trying to live a life following Jesus can feel lonely. That’s why being with other Christians is vital and why I look forward to being together in study. At the same time, my old habit of perfectionism and those insecurities I seem to carry around as burdens also kick in whenever I think about opening up about my faith challenges with others. What if I don’t have anything to offer that will “strengthen” them all?
“For where two or three gather together as my followers,
I am there among you.”
Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
As usual, my thoughts are not His thoughts and my ways are not His ways. I forget that it’s not about me but IS about God. He leads us through His Word and the words He’s given those we study. He leads us through the experiences we’ve had in our walk with Him and then can share with one another. Every week I’ve been reminded that God has brought this particular group together at this particular time because He has something important to teach us individually and collectively, using the unique perspectives we each bring to the table that help make His Word come to life. And guess what?
“So encourage each other and build each other up,
just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
Sharing those burdens we carry that the devil likes to use to isolate us and being vulnerable? Turns out God can use those too. Opening up in a trusted group is truly balm for our souls. We find out there are others who feel the same myriad of emotions, face the same weaknesses and challenges, and wonder too, if they have anything to offer. Vulnerability is exactly where God works. Our feebleness is where His strength shines through. And when 2, or 3, or 16 get together? Well, we are exactly where we’re supposed to be!
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,
but encourage one another, especially now that the day of
his return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
Joining with others to write to the challenging prompt, “Two” this week. To read what they came up with, click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com