We’ve been attending a new church for several months now, and this past Sunday, the pastor spoke again on GRACE. That one word holds so much power.
We are offered GRACE through God. He extends GRACE to all of His people. We are so undeserving, yet God gives us this gift freely for salvation. He forgives us and extends GRACE to us for all of our sins we have committed. While we could never do anything to “earn” grace, it is freely given through God’s love and favor He has extended to ALL.
Our pastor believes we need to be reminded of GRACE on a weekly basis.
We just celebrated the Christmas season – not because of Santa Clause or any presents under the tree. We celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. With celebrating His birth, we must also realize why He came in human form to this earth; to die for us. God did not want to lose us, even though we are sinners by nature. He claimed us all through the cross. Jesus bore the sins we should have been punished for, yet instead of punishment, we are offered GRACE.
Last year, I started attending a women’s ministry in our town. It wasn’t part of any particular church, rather it was women from all walks of life. Whether you attended church or you didn’t, all women were welcome there.
I had seen it advertised on Facebook. There was another women’s group advertised as well, but it was a little bit of a drive for me. I followed it for probably a year but never made the drive because they met in the evenings, I wasn’t familiar with the town where it was held, I didn’t want to drive the back roads alone at night, etc, I know it sounds like a lot of excuses.
Then I saw THIS particular women’s group.
I knew I needed to surround myself with other believers, but putting yourself out there with “strangers” is hard. I decided to put on my brave face, drive the 15 minutes from my home, and walk in those doors alone. Just me.
A lady greeted me at the door with the biggest smile on her face as she welcomed me in. Wow. Did she mean it? Or was she just smiling as part of her “job” that night? I couldn’t help but wonder. A few more ladies, one I used to work with a long time ago, greeted me as I took my place in one of the student desks they had set up for the session that night. I looked around to see if I knew anyone else, but there were only two other ladies I knew from another church we attended together years prior. I really felt like a fish out of water with all the ladies in the room that I did not know.
The speaker was so pleasant. She was down-to-earth, and she made us feel welcome as she began to dive into the women of the bible. I was intrigued to study and went back every Thursday I was able to in order to learn more.
It wasn’t until one of the ladies needed a ride that I really felt like “one of the group.” She posted in the Facebook group, and I immediately answered saying I would pick her up for the meeting that evening. I had seen her smiling face at the meetings, and although you are warned not to pick up “strangers,” I knew the only way to be a part of this group was to actually participate and interact with the other ladies. This gave me the perfect opportunity. So, that evening, I drove over to her house, picked her up, and had a delightful conversation the entire way to the women’s ministry group. We listened to the Word offered from the leader of the ministry, and we talked more on the drive back to this lady’s house. She invited us to church. I know what you’re thinking, but it wasn’t like she was pushing anything down my throat. I didn’t feel like that at all. Instead, she had such a sweet presence about her, I knew she genuinely cared.
When I arrived home, my husband was inquisitive wanting to know how everything went. I told him my new friend invited us to church. Being that he really didn’t grow up in the church like I did, I knew church wasn’t big on his list or something he wanted to get back into. When our children were little, we attended church every time the doors were open just as I did growing up with my parents. However, there was a situation in the church that hurt many attending, and after that, we lost interest. While we know no church is without its issues, this situation really hurt us so we have been leery of getting back into any church. We tried several churches but didn’t attend regularly until my son-in-law became the worship pastor at a church in the Charleston area. We enjoyed that church, but it was a long drive every Sunday, and I had to listen to my husband complain. So, with knowing this church was closer to our home, I asked my husband to just think on it, and he agreed.
The Sunday came a few months later when my husband agreed to try this church! We weren’t sure what to expect as we got ready and drove to find “Welcome” banners out front, parking attendants directing you where to go, and even “First Time Guest” parking with a tent set up for people to welcome you in. That was a nice touch! We parked our car, took a deep breath, and walked toward the tent. People were smiling and greeting us, and even still you wondered if this was part of their “job.” We found our place in the congregation, and they started with the praise and worship music. That is one of my absolute favorite ways to prepare for worship – through song! So I joined in, and it felt wonderful praising God. Then, the pastor came forth with his message, and we were hooked. He preaches from the Word of God, and he breaks it down for you to have a clear understanding. He is passionate about winning souls over to Christ, and he held my husband’s attention during the sermon. That, in itself, speaks volumes.
This circles back now to the beginning of this post, and as you can see, we have been attending this church for several months now. I have also been attending the women’s ministry for several months as well. We didn’t join “just for the holidays” as some do. We joined before that and were welcomed in to both places. Y’all, the smiles and warmth we felt were REAL at both places. They weren’t just on the welcoming committee doing a job because of they were, the feeling would fade when we encounter them again not in that particular role. Yet, that hasn’t happened.
Let me tell you how refreshing this has been!! To know you have people around you who truly care, who welcome you in, who genuinely want to see you grow in your walk with God – it’s like we stepped into a whole new dimension.
I’m writing all of this to encourage anyone out there who may be afraid of joining in a group because you don’t know anyone there … take that first step! Put yourself out there and let people love on you. Surround yourself with fellow believers who encourage and uplift you. It will make a world of difference when you do that. You do not have to be isolated at home, withdrawn and alone. It takes a leap of faith, and you may not find this feeling immediately when you enter the building. Go back a few more times just to see if you start to feel the warmth of the people. When you feel they aren’t just going through the motions but truly care, ah, that’s a game changer!
The women’s ministry is still going strong. Just today the leader sent a message about a young lady who completed a rehabilitation program for addiction. This young lady did the hardest work, and she has changed her entire life now. The leader asked us to send a word of encouragement and congratulations to her. As I got out my pen and paper to begin to write, tears stung my eyes as I thought of the privilege and honor to be able to encourage a sister in Christ.
GRACE
We are all extended GRACE by God above. When we don’t deserve it, God still offers it to us all through the gift of Salvation through Him.
We are still attending the church and completed their “First Steps” program. In that, we took an assessment to find our strengths and where we would fit in serving. It’s no surprise that one of my strengths is in praise and worship, and they are setting up an audition for me with the worship leader to see how I may use my vocal gifts to honor and praise God.
Was it intimidating putting ourselves out there in both settings? Yes!
Was it worth it? Absolutely!
In our “First Steps” program, we became fast friends with another couple. It has been so refreshing to have another new couple to walk alongside. They have invited us to their home for a New Year’s Eve party, and we went out to lunch with them. It’s scary putting yourself out there, but these new friends we have found we believe God placed in our path at the right time so we can grow together.
All of this is wrapped up in one word: GRACE!
We are so thankful for God’s GRACE, for sending His Son to bear the sins that were not His to bear, and yet through the ultimate sacrifice, we have been given eternal life through HIM! That gift is available for all … ask, believe, confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior of your life, turn from your sins, and walk with Him.
