Daily Devotionals
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 (Paula)
Life is hard.
And it’s even harder when we feel alone, excluded, or isolated.
At bible study this past Monday night, I got to see the principle of our RCC motto “Better Together” in action.
You see, one of our regular attendee friends in the group had just lost her husband. In fact, she had experienced his funeral just the evening before our study. Much to my surprise and joy, she came to bible study! She drove a great distance, though tired and weary…she showed up!
I thought to myself, would I come to bible study the day after my husbands funeral?
The action she took spoke to my heart so deeply. I kept my eye on this sister-in-Christ throughout the evening. I was concerned about her emotions and state, but as I watched her, I learned.
She shed tears, yes. Emotions were raw, yes. But she also laughed with her table mates. She spoke and shared. She listened and learned. She smiled. She received hugs and encouragement. She even served- as she brought left over gourmet cookies from the funeral to share with all of us!!
She could’ve isolated herself. She had every excuse to hide and withdraw. But we all know, that’s when the Enemy of our soul will attack us. That’s where we are most vulnerable.
Community is beautiful.
Community is God’s idea. There is comfort in community. And spiritual transformation takes place in the context of community.
With some recent changes and challenges in my own life (minor in comparison to what others are dealing with) sometimes I dont know if I have the energy to “show up” in life like I should. I was challenged by watching my friend’s courageous action of strength. She was faithful to do the next best thing.
Her faith in God’s grace inspired our entire community.
I heard God’s comforting whisper through a couple of scripture references;
“Praise be to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
And
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 10:9-11
Friend, if you are in battle right now, don’t give up! Rather, lean into the community of faith. Lean into His grace!
Don’t isolate.
Reach out.
Get help/give help! Keep doing the next best thing that God is nudging you to do!
And please know, we always have a spot for you here!
You are loved!
We are BETTER TOGETHER!
Paula
And it’s even harder when we feel alone, excluded, or isolated.
At bible study this past Monday night, I got to see the principle of our RCC motto “Better Together” in action.
You see, one of our regular attendee friends in the group had just lost her husband. In fact, she had experienced his funeral just the evening before our study. Much to my surprise and joy, she came to bible study! She drove a great distance, though tired and weary…she showed up!
I thought to myself, would I come to bible study the day after my husbands funeral?
The action she took spoke to my heart so deeply. I kept my eye on this sister-in-Christ throughout the evening. I was concerned about her emotions and state, but as I watched her, I learned.
She shed tears, yes. Emotions were raw, yes. But she also laughed with her table mates. She spoke and shared. She listened and learned. She smiled. She received hugs and encouragement. She even served- as she brought left over gourmet cookies from the funeral to share with all of us!!
She could’ve isolated herself. She had every excuse to hide and withdraw. But we all know, that’s when the Enemy of our soul will attack us. That’s where we are most vulnerable.
Community is beautiful.
Community is God’s idea. There is comfort in community. And spiritual transformation takes place in the context of community.
With some recent changes and challenges in my own life (minor in comparison to what others are dealing with) sometimes I dont know if I have the energy to “show up” in life like I should. I was challenged by watching my friend’s courageous action of strength. She was faithful to do the next best thing.
Her faith in God’s grace inspired our entire community.
I heard God’s comforting whisper through a couple of scripture references;
“Praise be to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
And
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 10:9-11
Friend, if you are in battle right now, don’t give up! Rather, lean into the community of faith. Lean into His grace!
Don’t isolate.
Reach out.
Get help/give help! Keep doing the next best thing that God is nudging you to do!
And please know, we always have a spot for you here!
You are loved!
We are BETTER TOGETHER!
Paula
